By Emeka Mamah
KADUNA— National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has expressed concern over rising cases of intolerance to civil protests by security agencies.

NUTGTWN cited the forceful disruption of a peaceful demonstration by Lekki residents in Lagos and the use of soldiers to disperse a demonstration by ex-Niger Delta militants along Abuja-Lokoja Expressway as examples.

Armed policemen, last weekend, fired canisters of tear gas to disperse Lekki residents protesting the introduction of tolling on the Lekki-Epe Expressway by the state government.

A statement by the General Secretary of NUTGTWN, Mr. Issa Aremu, in Kaduna, said: “We read with great concern the disruption of a peaceful mass protest organised by residents of Lekki last Saturday, against the introduction of toll gate on Lekki-Epe Expressway by the Lagos State government.

“The police allegedly dispersed the protesters by firing tear gas canisters causing the death of a middle-aged man with several others injured.

“Some photo-journalists were also said to have had their cameras and identity cards seized.

“We condemn in strong terms the criminalisation and disruption of the peaceful protest by security agencies allegedly on the instruction of Lagos State Government.”

“It is a violation of rights of citizens to free movement and assembly as enshrined in 1999 Constitution.

“Last week, soldiers reportedly blocked some militants at the Lokoja bridge who were on their way to Abuja to protest alleged discrimination against them on the amnesty programme.

Recently too, some policemen arrested members of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, who were on their way to Abuja for a meeting, at Lokoja, Kogi State and asked them to turn back.

“Some ACN members, who were on their way to Abuja to observe the proceedings of the case instituted by the Code of Conduct Bureau against former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, were arrested by the police.

“Cases of molestations and unwarranted arrest by the security agencies are legion and pose serious danger to our democratic experience.

“We are in a democracy. The country’s constitution guarantees freedom of movement and association to all. Democracy can only thrive in an atmosphere where individuals and government agencies, particularly the law enforcers, respect the constitution and the Rule of Law. The authorities must urgently call security agencies to order.

“There are by far more challenges for the police than chasing innocent and law-abiding Nigerians who are only exercising their constitutional rights.”