A human right organization in Osun state, Amilca Cabral Ideological School (ACIS-M), has called for the immediate release of some activists allegedly arrested by policemen in Lagos while staging a peaceful protest against the hike in fuel price and electricity tariff.
The group condemned the action of Nigeria police , describing it as unconventional and deliberate attempt to deprive Nigerian from exercising their rights.
Scores of human right activists had earlier thronged the streets of Lagos state to protest against the approval of increment of electricity tariff and fuel by President Muhammad Buhari.
During the protest no fewer than ten of them were arrested.
The name of the arrested comrades according to the report are; Aremson, Pelad,Mrs Goke Arogundade, Dagga Tolar, Sina Odugbemi, SOWETO, Mrs Bashirat Ogunlana, Achike, Ade Sahara & host of others NOW.
In a press statement signed by the coordinator of ACISM, Comrade Akin-Gofment Asifat, a copy which was made available to journalists in Osogbo, said the arrest of unarmed protesters is unjust and antithetical to the right to freedom of assembly and speech.
Statement read;
“The information reaching us now has revealed that our comrades who led peaceful protest in Lagos have been arrest by officers of Nigerian Police Force.
“This arbitrariness and unlawful arrest of protesters has further confirm our statement that APC/BUHARI led government is not different from military autocratic regime which we fought against 22years ago.
“Aside being PUPPET of Imperialist West and its creditors’ institutions-IMF/WORLD,WTO e.t.c. with anti-POOR, WORKING PEOPLES’ policies which resulted in increases in PMS price, electricity tariff,stamp duty, inflation & others. The ruling elites’ class could still result to intimidation, victimization of the cadres who genuinely marched side-by-side with oppressed masses on the streets of Lagos.
“This is a pointer that we are in 1983 era of oppression where right to protest any bad policy of the government seems to be big crime even more than misappropriation of public fund which is normal engagement with the ranks&files of ruling Elite’s class across party ranches.
“We demand for immediate release of our comrades that arrested to 16th Sept,2020.
“Release Aremson, Pelad,Mrs Goke Arogundade, Dagga Tolar, Sina Odugbemi, SOWETO, Mrs Bashirat Ogunlana, Achike, Ade Sahara & host of others NOW.
“The right to protest is fundamental human right.
Signed
Akin-Gofment Asifat
CO-ORD.,
Amilca Cabral Ideological School (ACIS-M) Wed.16-09-2020.
