Prominent lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN), his son — afrobeats singer Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz — civil society groups, youth organisations and others staged a lively protest in Lagos on Friday, demanding urgent action on rising insecurity and worsening economic hardship.
Chanting, they said the march was to draw attention to insecurity, hardship and policies hurting ordinary Nigerians. They gathered at the Ikeja Under Bridge with placards reading “No Democracy Without Security,” “End Bad Governance,” “End Insecurity and Kidnapping,” “End Hunger,” “Free All Captives Now,” and “End all anti-people policies now.”
Speaking at the protest, Falana called for the immediate release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State and raised concern over their welfare. He said the protest also highlighted broader injustice, insecurity and poverty.
“We are protesting the kidnapping of our children in Oyo State. We are also protesting injustice in our country, a situation whereby innocent school children in Oyo and Borno states have been in the custody of criminals for several weeks now.
“We are also protesting injustice meted out to young people who are regularly arrested on the highways by the police.
“We are protesting hunger and poverty in the land, and we are calling on the government to address these challenges,” he said.
Falana lamented the condition of the captives and regretted the killing of one teacher, calling on authorities to step up efforts to free the rest.
Falz bemoaned the worsening insecurity and economic pain. “Everybody can see the worsening insecurity. It is becoming unbearable,” he said. He cited recent kidnappings, and added, “Every Nigerian life matters and must be protected at all costs.”
Human rights activist Olumide Ogunsanwo, aka Seaking, urged stronger government action: “We say no to insecurity. Insecurity has to end.”
Security operatives monitored the rally. The protest coincided with Democracy Day, recalling the annulled June 12, 1993 election widely believed won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
(NAN)
