A young girl lay dead on Saturday not far from the scene of the Lagos rally of Yoruba nation agitators at Ojota, with some witnesses claiming she was felled by a stray bullet fired by the police.
The police denied the accusation vehemently, claiming the corpse was not fresh and appeared to have a wound sustained from a sharp object.
Yoruba youth activist and frontline agitator for Yoruba nation, Sunday Igboho was absent at the rally. He had been listed as one of the speakers at the rally.
He has not been seen in public since the early Thursday raid of his Ibadan residence by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who subsequently declared him wanted.
Igboho on Saturday petitioned the federal government on the Thursday raid of his house by security agents. He demanded a N500million as reparation for the damage to his property.
True to their vow, the Yoruba nation agitators defied the police and stormed the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square at Ojota, demanding the creation of Oduduwa Republic.
The police had warned that no rally would be allowed as it could be hijacked by hoodlums.
The turnout of protesters was low, probably about a hundred, including some traditionalists all of whom had white dresses on.
The women tied only wrappers around their body. They were led by a man who was also in white.
Much of the space stretching from Ketu to Ojota on the Lagos/Ikorodu Road was taken over by a combined team of soldiers, policemen, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Department of State Services
They were led by Lagos State Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu.
They blocked one part of the road with their operational vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and water cannons, causing a massive traffic jam around the area.
Many commuters had to resort to walking. Some vehicles were stopped and searched along with their passengers by the security personnel for offensive materials.
It first appeared the rally would not take place in view of the large presence of the security agents and with no protester in sight.
But by 10 o’clock, the story suddenly changed when the protesters emerged with placards and flags.
Coming in tow were the traditionalists.
They burst into solidarity songs and chants.
The security personnel looked on, undisturbed.
But suddenly it all turned rowdy.
The security agents activated the water cannons and some canisters of tear gas were fired to disperse the crowd who immediately scampered to safety.
Some dashed across the expressway to the Ogudu side and behind the Total Filling Station.
About 30 of the protesters were arrested by the police.
Among them was the driver who brought the traditionalists. Their vehicle, it was learnt, was also impounded.
Soon there was screaming that a female soft drinks hawker had been hit and killed by a stray bullet.
Her name was given as Jumoke, newly employed by one Tosin Oyemade.
Residents claimed that a bullet pierced her chest.
Said one resident: “As those ones were running into residential neighbourhood, the police chased them and were firing gunshots and teargas.
“People including Jumoke took to their heels. It was while she was running to the back of the yard that a bullet hit her on the chest. It is painful that the police are claiming it is not a fresh corpse.
“Why didn’t they say this when they came to check the body? They should have said it in the presence of the crowd if they were sure of their fact.
“Jumoke is not the owner of the shop. The owner was even in church but she had to come when they called her and told her what has happened. It is not long she started working for the woman.”
None of the residents admitted seeing the bullet or shell.
However, the Lagos State Police Command denied using live bullets during their encounter with the protesters.
Spokesman for the command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the allegation as a calculated attempt to create confusion and fears in the minds of the people of Lagos State and the country at large.
“The command did not fire a single live bullet at Ojota rally today,” he said.
He added: “The said corpse was found wrapped and abandoned at a distance far from Ojota venue of the rally, behind MRS Filling Station, inward Maryland, on the other side of the venue, with dried blood stains suggesting that the corpse is not fresh.
“After a close look at the corpse, a wound suspected to have been sustained from a sharp object was seen on it.
“The news is false and mischievous. The command therefore urges the public to disregard the news and go about their lawful normal daily activities while investigation to unravel the incident will commence immediately.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, commiserates with the family of the found deceased and assures that thorough investigation will be carried out.
“The command equally wishes to warn against the spread or peddling of fake and unconfirmed stories as such could be dangerous and counterproductive.”