Scores of Lagos residents who attended Mohbad’s candlelight procession on Thursday night, September 21st,
were forced to run for their lives when police allegedly threw tear gas to disperse them.
The procession started earlier in the evening at Lekki Phase 1 and
the memorial concert began later by 8 PM at the Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Meanwhile, by 11pm, those still carrying on the procession at Lekki began crying out
on social media that they were teargased by the police to disperse them.
Videos from the scene show people running as smoke from the tear gas rises all around them.
One video shows people falling while running
This move has sparked outrage from Nigerians on Twitter,
with many condemning the police for their actions.
Some people have accused the police of trying to suppress the public’s right to protest and demand justice for Mohbad.
Others have questioned why the police would target a peaceful gathering.
The police have not yet commented on the incident.
Nigerians react to police’s alleged use of tear gas on mourners
One Twitter user wrote, “This is so wrong. The police have no right to teargas peaceful protesters.
This is a clear attempt to suppress our right to freedom of expression.”
Another Twitter user wrote, “The police are supposed to protect us, not attack us.
What have these mourners done to deserve this treatment?”
A third Twitter user wrote, “This is outrageous. The police should be ashamed of themselves.”
In conclusion, The alleged use of tear gas on mourners at Mohbad candlelight procession is a disturbing development.
It is important to note that the police have not yet commented on the incident,
so it is too early to say for sure what happened.
However, if the allegations are true,
it represents a clear violation of the public’s right to freedom of expression and assembly.
We hope that the police will investigate the matter thoroughly and hold those responsible to account.
We also hope that the Nigerian government will take steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
watch videos from the scene.
