Journalist, protesters arrested at Abuja

Freelance journalist, Ayoola Babalola, has been arrested along with several protesters by security operatives in Abuja on Saturday.

The incident occurred as demonstrators gathered at the MKO Abiola National Stadium for the third day of nationwide protests against bad governance and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Babalola, who posted about his arrest on WhatsApp, reported being detained at Wuye Police Station and having his phone confiscated by authorities.

Other metro journalists covering the protest earlier reported how they narrowly escaped gunshots fired by the operatives, with the car belonging to a Premium Times journalist riddled with bullets.

Speaking on a phone call with vanguard Babalola stated “I have been arrested. I’m being held at Wuye Police Station. We are standing our ground and not releasing our devices,” The former Peoples Gazette reporter, Babalola also posted on his WhatsApp status, noting that he was apprehended alongside six others, including one Samuel Victor.

“They are taking our phones and taking us to the cell now,” he added in a message sent to our correspondent around 2pm.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, when contacted, said she was making efforts to get Babalola and others released.

“I’m only aware of two of them, not seven, and I’m making efforts on their release. I’m looking for the journalist, Ayoola (Babalola),”. She added.

Protesters have continued to hit the streets in Lagos, Oyo, Abuja and other states as they call for, among others, the reversal of fuel subsidy removal and the skyrocketing price of goods and services in the country.

The ‘End Hunger’ protest has, however, been marred with reported lootings by hoodlums in Kano and other northern regions with the police going after the culprits to recover some items.

The Lagos State Government has urged the protesters to go home noting that their voices have been heard “loud and clear,” according to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who spoke with Channels TV.

The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday criticised President Bola Tinubu for not addressing the nation amid the nationwide protests.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party urged Tinubu to break his silence, address the nation immediately, and reassure citizens of the pressing issues affecting them.