People & Money

Pat Utomi-led Group, NCFront, Prevented from Laying Memorial Wreaths at Lekki Toll Gate

Obafemi stated that “fully armed, fierce looking anti riot police squad stormed the venue” as soon as members of the group converged at the Lekki Toll Gate with flowers, wreathes and Nigerian flags in their hands. The armed men are said to have threatened “to shoot and deal with scores of mourners who have gathered from all parts of Lagos.”

In a media release on Sunday, 25 October 2020, the National Consultative Front, made known that armed police men prevented its members led by the National Secretary, Che Wale Okunniyi, from laying wreaths and holding a peaceful “memorial rally” in remembrance of protesters shot dead by solders on Tuesday 20 October by yet-to-be identified men of the Nigerian Army.

In a release signed by Olubori Obafemi for the Organising Committee, #EndSars Memorial Rally of the NCFront, the group condemned “the forceful disruption of the peaceful memorial rally” organised to “mourn and honour all those brutalised and cut down during the #EndSars protest in Nigeria”.

Also Read: It Is Not Finished, #EndSARS Coalition Seeks to Sustain Momentum, Targets Broader Political Change

Obafemi stated that “fully armed, fierce looking anti riot police squad stormed the venue” as soon as members of the group converged at the Lekki Toll Gate with flowers, wreathes and Nigerian flags in their hands. The armed men are said to have threatened “to shoot and deal with scores of mourners who have gathered from all parts of Lagos.”

The statement explained that Wale Okuniyi, the activist popularly known as Veteran Che pleaded with the policemen who numbered about 35 to allow the peaceful mourning rites proceed as they awaited the arrival of Professor Pat Utomi.

The gun wielding special police squad, according to the NCFront’s statement has “stoutly rebuffed” all entreaties, forcing the organisers to shift the memorial event to NCFront Lagos Centre, at Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victorial Island, Lagos.

Also Read: #EndSARS: Access Bank to Support SMEs With N50bn Loans

The memorial event saw the planting of a “special memorial tree in honour of all those cut down in cold blood during the #EndSars Peaceful Protest” by organisers led by Professor Utomi. Other NCFront leaders at the memorial include Col Tony Nyiam, Rtd, Dr Elishama Ideh, Mrs Bunmi Lawson and Lady Uri.

The event was also attended by #EndSars Youths Leaders, including, Revo Gbenga Ademujimi, Mr Odianosen Masade, Ms Banke Oniru and Capt Freely.

 

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