Is the show of force not too aggressive? – Lolo on dispersed Abuja protest
Nigerian actress and media personality Lolo has weighed in on the dispersal of protesters in Abuja with tear gas canisters during the demonstration led by the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society organisations.
Reacting to reports of the protest’s disruption, Lolo questioned the rationale behind the security forces’ decision to fire tear gas on demonstrators who were reportedly unarmed and non-violent.
Citizens have a right to peacefully gather, it’s their right in the constitution. But when they now gather and there is no form of violence, it’s not like they’re carrying guns or anything, no form of violence or agitation.
Lolo emphasised that peaceful demonstrations are a core part of any functioning democracy and questioned whether the use of force in this case was warranted.