End bad governance protest: security agencies on the trail of Obumneke Ofodile, others

LAGOS – The Lagos State Police Command in Nigeria have declared wanted a 42 – year – old female, Obumneke Ofodile and others over their alleged complicity in organizing the “#End Bad Governance” protest in the State and other commercial cities of the country.

Meanwhile, the protest was mainly organized by youths in the country to register their anger against the current government of Nigeria over the high cost of living, acute hunger, unemployment, marginalization amongst others suffered by the people.

It would be recalled that the Police have arrested and incarcerated hundreds of youths during the “#End Bad Governance Protests” apparently to halt the protest and deter them against further occurrence.

A Police statement released yesterday and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundenyin stated that Obumneke and others, now at large are being wanted by the Command to explain their various role in the organisation of the protest which turned violent in lagos and other parts of the country.

According to the Police Spokesman, “the protest which led to the massive looting of shops of innocent citizens by hoodlums, as well as destruction and burning of government properties was planned to undermine the current administration in the country led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu”.

Hundenyin, further stated that Obumneke Ofodile, who apart from being one of the alleged organisers of the protest, also assisted the group to source funds from wealthy traders resident in Lagos to mobilise hoodlums to Kano State and other parts of Northern Nigeria to unleashed mayhem on government facilities and violence on law – abiding citizens.

He also disclosed that the source of funds for the purchase of the Russian flags that was hoisted in most parts of Northern Nigeria during the protests was traceable to Obumneke Ofodile as he appealed to members of the public to oblige the command useful information on her whereabouts for a handsome reward.

When our Correspondent visited Obumneke residence in Adewumi Street along Ipako Ijaiye Area of Lagos State, her house was however deserted with no one available to speak on her whereabouts but a resident in the area who refused his name on print said he had not sighted Obumneke since the outbreak of the protests.

According to him, “the residents of the area are shocked when we heard on radio that Obumneke had been declared wanted by the Police over the protest. It was then we noted that she had always kept late nights coming home two weeks proceeding the incident”

He further stated that Obumneke may have been imprisoned or fled the country for fear of being apprehended for a treasonable trial.

It is however on record that the Nigerian government has criminalized the protest even when it was the constitutional rights of the youths as many of them are still languishing in Police custody.

Meanwhile, members of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) have called on the government to release those arrested unconditionally or charge them to Court for trial in accordance with the rule of law.

The protest with hashtag #End bad governance in Nigeria started on August 1, 2024 and lasted for ten days.