Security operatives shoot at protesters, journalists in Abuja

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Security operatives shoot at protesters, journalists in Abuja

Security operatives at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday dispersed protesters and journalists from the facility with gunshots.

The security operatives aimed at protesters and journalists who ran for cover.

The protesters were reconvening after being dispersed by security agents deployed to the stadium.

Suddenly, masked security operatives suspected to be personnel of the Department of State Services started shooting sporadically at protesters.

As a result, the protesters ran inside bushes around the stadium with some of the security operatives giving them a hot chase.

Afterwards, the remaining masked operatives on the ground came for the journalists who were at a separate spot.

As they approached, journalists fled, scrambling into any available vehicle.

The masked security operatives fired sporadically at the fleeing journalists.

Bullets pierced a Premium Times reporter’s car conveying journalists out of the location at three different locations.

Journalists inside the car shot by security agents are those of The PUNCH, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette.

Also, a commuter vehicle’s glass was shattered with bullets.

Premium Times reporter’s car riddle with bullets.

The sudden crackdown left many demonstrators feeling frustrated and disappointed.

“We just wanted to make our voices heard, but they wouldn’t let us,” said Evelyn, a protester who was present at the scene. “It’s like they’re trying to silence us, but we won’t be quiet.”

Another protester, Tunde Oyedele, added, “We’re not troublemakers; we just want change. But every time we try to speak out, they shut us down. It’s like our voices don’t matter.”

A Vanguard correspondent, who identified himself properly as a journalist, was denied access to the stadium by security personnel, and was told: “Find your way out of here. You can’t park your vehicle inside the stadium either. There is no protest here. We were told there is not going to be a protest here anymore.”

This contradicts the court that restricted protesters to the stadium and raised questions about the security operatives’ suppression of free speech and association, and impingement of the rule of law in Nigeria.

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