Police storm venue, disrupt ‘Free Lagos’ press briefing, fire several shots
Men of the Nigeria Police Force yesterday stormed the venue and disrupted a World Press Conference put together by a group known as ‘Orange Movement for a Free Lagos State’ with the theme, “Setting Lagos free from Bourdillon Bondage, #OtogeLagos” held at the Lagos Airport Hotel.
The group which is a coalition of civil society groups was convened by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, Spokesperson of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, social crusader, Comrade Mark Adebayo and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi.
Drama started after some participants had already seated inside the Oranmiyan Hall where the event was to hold, but scores of other participants who later stormed the Airport Hotel venue were stopped at the gate by a detachment of armed policemen mobilised to the scene.
The police in their numbers led by several very senior Police officers, with about seven Hilux Vans did not allow anybody to come inside the hall afterwards.
When one of the policemen was approached by one of the journalists billed for the event, he said the event was no longer holding as it had been postponed.
In the ensuing drama, the policemen fired several shots into the air to disperse the crowd, many of whom were insisting on gaining access into the hall, with people running helter-skelter within and outside the hotel premises.
It was not clear while policemen in about seven vehicles stormed the venue, but sources said the action was to prevent the press conference from holding.
When contacted on phone, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chike Oti, said the police were mobilized to the scene following a call from one of the organizers who complained that they have information that some hoodlums were planning to storm the venue of the press conference to disrupt it.
One of the conveners, Comrade Mark Adebayo said they would likely drag the Police before a court for the siege.
However, the group in its press statement for the event had condemned the alleged hounding and harassment of members of some ethnic groups during the last Saturday Presidential and National Assembly election in Lagos State, for their choices during and after the election./
They also alleged that some local government chairmen were chasing people away from performing their civic responsibilities. “Both perceived and imaginary opposition that they feel won’t vote for their candidates were beaten and chased away from the polling units across the state on the instruction of one man bent on perpetuating his hegemonic rule on Lagosians.”
They further alleged that “all this act of brigandage was commandeered from Bourdillon with active connivance of security agencies.”
According to them, the conference was borne out of the realization of a common yearning for freedom “from arrogant domination, unprecedented corruption, dictatorial manipulations and the unconscionable commandeering of Lagos State commonwealth by the Bourdillon power cultists who have turned Lagos, its people and treasury into a family heritage.”
