SOME youths on Monday stormed the Ejigbo
Police Division to protest against alleged illegal arrest and detention
of a visual artist, Jelili Atiku, who had come for a programme in the
area on Thursday.
PUNCH Metro learnt that apart
from Jelili, some women were also detained by the police who were
reportedly acting on the orders of a traditional ruler in the area.
Our correspondent gathered that the
youths stormed the station and demanded that Atiku and a fan, who was
arrested with him, should be released by the police, saying the duo had
committed no offence.
Atiku, a visual and performance artist,
who staged a performance on domestic terrorism in the area on Thursday,
was said to have been arrested on the evening of Sunday, because the
traditional ruler allegedly felt the artist did not consult him before
the performance.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro, one
of the youths, who identified himself only as Abiola, said the police
had first arrested a participant at the event on Friday before Atiku was
apprehended on Sunday.
He said, “Atiku is a multi-media visual
and performance artist. He also won the 2015 Prince Claus Laureate. On
Thursday, he came to Ejigbo and he staged a performance on domestic
terrorism.
“A traditional ruler in Ejigbo with the
connivance of the police started arresting people after the performance.
One of those at the event was arrested on Friday. Jelili (Atiku) was
arrested on Sunday.
“On Monday, we went to the station to
demand the release of the artist, as no traditional ruler can be using
the police to intimidate Nigerians.”
Another youth, who gave his name as
Azeez, said, “The ruler uses men of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress and
policemen to oppress the people. The police in Ejigbo have been
compromised. What we are demanding is that Atiku should be released. He
has committed no crime. We ask for his release from the police.”
One of the women who were arrested and
who gave her name only as Alhaja Daramola, said, “I was among those
arrested and I was taken to court without any offence. The police said I
was selling hemp. I do not sell such. There were four of us who were
arrested, and the police acted on the order of a traditional ruler.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said in a text message that Atiku had been charged to court.
“The suspect has been taken to court,” she stated.
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