…As DSS speaks on arrest of popular protester, Lenin
By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS—For participating in the Day 1 of the #EndBadGovernance protest, an underage protester in Borno State, Bashir Tijani, has received a gift of N1m.
He was captured in a striking photo fearlessly standing in front of a moving police van, protesting against hunger and the general hardship in the country.
The N1m is meant for scholarship courtesy of a Nigerian comedian, Agozi Samuel.
The photo of the young protester confidently standing in front of a moving police van on the first day of the protest has sparked empathy and concern from Nigerians.
Tijani was asked in Hausa Language about how he summoned the courage stand before a moving vehicle and he responded that hunger pushed him to dare the consequences.
In a video posted by Arewa Blog, he said, “I came out to protest because of hunger, the government’s inability to provide jobs, and I was not afraid of being arrested by the police.”
The photo captured the young Nigerian without shirt raising both hands on a highway like that of a person who wanted to stop the Police vehicle in all ramifications.
The expression on his face appeared to be like a person who was struck with
hunger, frustration and desperation.
He was wearing Blue trousers and was prepared to damn any consequence but thank God that fate later smiled on him.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS), on Monday, said a popular activist, Adaramoye Michael (aka Michael Lenin), was not in its custody as claimed by some protesters.
Adaramoye was one of the organisers of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria which entered Day 5 on Monday.
The security police disclosed this on its X Handle.
“The DSS can confirm that Adaramoye Michael (aka Michael Lenin) is not in its custody. “
Similarly, DSS said it has apprehended some tailors for designing some Russian flags being distributed in Kano State.
“Meanwhile, the Service has apprehended some tailors in Kano State responsible for making Russian flags being distributed in the area. Some of their sponsors have also been picked. Investigation is ongoing.”
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his broadcast on Sunday had called for the discontinuation of the protests.
Despite the broadcast, the protesters were still on the streets.
On Monday, the #EndBadGovernance protesters occupied Freedom Parks in Okota, Lagos State and that of Osogbo in Osun State.
It was learnt that some protesters were attacked in the Alausa area of Lagos State.
One of the victims of the attack, Bade Gboyega claimed that some “sponsored thugs” infiltrated the protest ground and launched an attack.
“Myself and others were brutally attacked at the barricade in Alausa yesterday, by some paid-agents and provocateurs. I didn’t have access to my phone since yesterday.”
He said the protesters were attacked despite the presence of law enforcement operatives.
“We were singing, when the thugs invaded us from behind, where the police were stationed. It appeared to be an orchestrated attack on peaceful protesters.” He said.
However, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, on Monday, said the State was peaceful.
