Lagos – No fewer than 15 police patrol vehicles were stationed around the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos on Wednesday in anticipation of protests over fuel price hike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the park, located in Ojota area of Lagos, had become a popular rallying point for various agitators in the past.
Also stationed at the park was one Armored Personnel Carrier as well as dozens of policemen.
NAN reports that there were no protesters at the park as at 2p.m.
A police source at the park, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that their presence in the area was to maintain law and order.
“We are only here to ensure there is no untoward behavior in the event of protests.
“Our job here is to do what is permitted by law to do, and not to disrupt any of their activities.
“The protesters are free to do whatever they choose, provided they don’t go beyond the ambit of the law”, the source said.
NAN recalls that the Federal Government had on May 11 hiked the price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 per litre which led the leaders of workers’ unions to call for strike on Wednesday. (NAN)