Nigerian government withdraws troops from Lagos

Nigerian government withdraws troops from Lagos
Stephanie Erukaa, Lagos

The Nigerian government has withdrawn military troops from Lagos State after seven days of deployment to maintain peace in the state in the wake of recent protest across Nigeria.

Nigerian Military spokesman, Colonel Mohammed Yerima confirmed the withdrawal while addressing reporters on the decision of the government to withdraw the troops.

He said: "The soldiers have left Lagos. Their withdrawal was approved by the military authorities. The withdrawal took place on Tuesday.”

Immediately after announcing the new pump price of fuel President Goodluck Jonathan dispatched military personnel to Lagos to ensure that rallies do not hold.

Armoured tanks and hundreds of soldiers were deployed to trouble spots in Lagos, the commercial city with a population of around 15 million, to subdue possible protests over the new price.

On the first day of deployment, more than 100 soldiers cordoned off the main protest venue at ‘Gani Fewehimi Square’ in Ojota, Lagos.

Police also fired tear gas to disperse protesters while in one incident soldiers drove armoured cars into a surging crowd.

Public outcry

A public outcry greeted this action of the President.

Some prominent Nigerians including the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, criticised the deployment of troops and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the army from Lagos.

They stressed that the deployment of the troops hampered the citizens’ constitutional right to carry out peaceful protests.

The government had explained that the troops were deployed to ensure the security of lives and properties.

Williams/Cokey