The arrest of an activist and a nurse Olamide Thomas has attracted attention of two civil society organisations- Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) and the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Lagos State Chapter calling for her release.
Penpushing reports that the organisations, in statements recalled that Thomas was arrested by the police for her open criticism of the police and the bad governance at the local, state, and federal levels of government in Nigeria.
The statements were issued by National Secretary, of Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) Francis Nwapa, while Hassan Soweto signed on behalf of the organising committee of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, Lagos State Chapter.
Penpushing further reports that the groups, explained that Thomas was arrested on Friday following continuous harassment by the police, and specifically accused a spokesperson of the police of being responsible for her arrest over critical posts she made on social media about the enforcement agency’s high-handedness.
“For several months now, Nurse Abiodun Thomas has been a target of the Nigeria Police especially the force PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi for her persistent criticism of police brutality and high-handedness’, the statement read.
‘Nurse Thomas was among protesters who were targeted, brutalised and assaulted by the Nigeria Police during the 4th commemoration of the Lekki Toll Gate massacre on October 20th, 2024. Since then she has continued to condemn the police for their orchestrated clampdown on unarmed protesters’, the groups added.
Penpushing also reports that the bodies in the statements berated the police spokesperson for resorting to intimidation and arresting her family members and friends to fish her out, claiming that on Thursday, Thomas’ uncle was arrested, blindfolded and driven to the Lagos State Police command.
‘This morning Nurse Abiodun Thomas was arrested and taken to the Lagos State Police command. YRC condemns in strong terms the use of state resources to settle personal vendetta or repress dissent by the police. The Nigeria Police must immediately end this impunity and release Nurse Abiodun Thomas unconditionally now!”, he emphasised
Penpushing reports that as at the time of filing this report the police authorities have, however, declined to comment on the matter for reasons yet to be disclosed, just as the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin, kept mute over the development.
The activist it is recalled allegedly live-streamed video on her Facebook page on October,20, 2024 and cursed the trio, alleging that the police authorities brutalized her during a memorial procession of end police brutality protest in Lekki, Lagos State.
Penpushing further reports that the suspect in the video that led to her arrest, expressed deep grievances, invoking divine power and issuing severe condemnations directed at Tinubu, Egbetokun, and Adejobi, as well as curses foretelling loss and tragedy against the trio.
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