#EndBadGovernance Day 3: Security Operatives Disperse Protesters With Teargas In Abuja

Security operatives on Saturday dispersed protesters demonstrating in front of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

It was gathered that the security operatives, frustrated by the protesters’ refusal to enter the stadium, fired teargas at them.

Osun Defender recalls that Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja had restricted protesters in the August 1 demonstration to the MKO Abiola Stadium in the nation’s capital.

Justice Oriji issued the order on Wednesday while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

READ: #EndBadGovernance: Panic As Police Stray Bullet Hits Dispatcher During Protest (Video)

The minister, who said that the Federal Government was not averse to the protest, claimed that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intend to capitalize on the planned protest to cause havoc and irreparable damages to public facilities and block roadways to prevent the movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.

He claimed that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest did not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told that they were not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at short notice.

In his ruling, Justice Oriji, who recognized the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, however, restricted them to the stadium given the genuine fears expressed by the minister.