The police in Lagos on Monday arrested four members of the Joint Action Front (JAF) and leaders of commercial motorcyclists popular called Okada during a rally organised to protest the new Lagos traffic law.
The rally was organised by the JAF to protest the new Lagos traffic law.
The protesters were arrested in Yaba area while distributing leaflets to residents.
Those arrested were taken to the Iponri Police Division where they were detained. Three of them were identified as Simeon Aremu, Yusuf Oladimeji and Malik Pappuchi.
The General Secretary of the JAF, Abiodun Aremu condemned the arrests describing it as unjust and an attempt to intimidate the people.
Addressing the crowd gathered at the NLC secretariat annex at Yaba, Mr Aremu said Nigerians will not be intimidated by arrests.
“We are here to tell the Lagos State government that enough is enough. Enough of the humiliation of poor people. The law banning okada is a bad law and the government should rescind it,” he stated.
He urged the people to come out and fight for their rights. “This is the beginning of the struggle to liberate the poor people in Nigeria and the struggle must continue until we win,” he said.
After his speech, the protesters marched round some streets in the area displaying placards with various messages.
“You gave us no job, we gave ourselves one and you are killing us for it.
“They say okada riders are robbers, who gave them guns?” “Fashola, give me my vote back,” the inscriptions read.
