2021 Democracy Day: Police Shoot Teargas At Protesters In Abuja, Lagos

Protesters on Saturday defied Federal government’s warning against any form of protests nationwide, insisting however that they must express their grievances against the prevailing insecurity, deteriorating economy among others.

Early reports in Abuja and from other parts of the country including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun indicated that while the protests went on in some places uninterrupted by security agencies, in Abuja and Lagos however, security operatives confronted the protesters with teargas cannisters to dispers them.

In Abuja, the protesters had earlier blocked the Gudu Junction to protest the state of the nation as part of events marking June 12, 1993 or 2021 Democracy Day.

The Unity Fountain in Abuja, which is a popular venue for protests in the nation’s capital, had been shy of protesters as of 8:15am.

However, at the Millennium Park just opposite the fountain, a few individuals wearing branded T-shirts with the inscription ‘I Stand With Buhari’ had pooled together.

They were reportedly to later embark on a road walk to mark Democracy Day.

According to our correspondent, the protesters in Gudu had turned out in their numbers carrying placards and banners with various inscriptions.

Among their demands was the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari.
They are asking that President Muhammadu Buhari resign from office.

Protesters gathered at Gudu junction in Abuja on June 12, 2021 to protest the state of the nation. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television
According to them the president has failed in addressing the challenges in the country, including that of insecurity.

Among those leading the protest were social activists Omoyele Sowore and Deji Adeyanju.

However, as the protesters continued their protest, heavily armed policemen stormed the scene and began shooting tear gas into the air, dispersing the protest.

Meanwhile, protesters failed to converge at the August 27 stadium in Damaturu, Yobe on Saturday.

The protesters had been expected to converge at the stadium before taking to the streets as part of a nationwide protest tagged ‘Buhari must go’.

However, as of 9am on Saturday, our correspondent observed that no single protester had arrived at the venue.

But there were security personnel stationed at the venue.

When contacted via telephone, the Network of Civil Society Organizations and Nigeria Labour Congress confirmed to Channels Television that they are not participating because they do not know the organizers of the protest.

Meanwhile, businesses opened for their normal activities and calm was observed in the city.

The Democracy Day protests held at Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state amid heavy police presence.

As of 10am, the protest was peaceful as protesters continued to trickle into the venue.

Young people also gathered at the NEPA roundabout in Akure, Ondo State.

Channels Television reporters also observed protests in Osun state.

-Channels TV with additional report by OPTIMUM TIMES