Helicopter Patrol Monitors #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protest in Lagos

On Thursday, a patrol helicopter was seen flying over the venue of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in the Ojota area of Lagos State. The white chopper circled slowly for about twenty minutes, overseeing the gathering.

Protesters have opted not to gather in the Freedom Park garden as designated, instead occupying the service lane. One of the protest leaders, Tunji Abayomi, said that they felt the government was attempting to confine them to the garden. He stated, “Originally, this is our traditional protest ground, but we won’t allow the government to confine us inside the garden.”

Another protester, Steven Adams, expressed concerns about entering the garden, referencing the events at the Lekki toll gate during the #EndSARS protest. “I am security conscious because I don’t know the plans of the police. What if it is a trap?” he said.

The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Adegoke Fayoade, visited the protest scene, arriving around 11:25 am to monitor the situation. A minor drama unfolded when he entered the park to inspect the premises, as protesters voiced their refusal to gather there. Commissioner Fayoade left the scene shortly afterward.

The Gani Fawehinmi Park and Peace Park in Ojota are the court-approved locations for holding protests. The protesters, who had marched from under the bridge at Ikeja, arrived in Ojota around 11 am.