An iconic Nigerian entertainer, Charly Boy, on Tuesday, August 8, was brutally attacked in Abuja along with activists and members of civil society groups that gathered at the Unity Fountain at the Federal Capital Territory to call for the resumption of ailing President Muhammadu Buhari or his resignation.
The ‘resume or resigns’ protest began on Monday, after which 90 days had passed since Buhari left Nigeria on medical vacation in London.
The police attacked the group of protesters with tear gas canisters, dogs and water canons, an e-mailed statement to The Trent by the leader of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju said on Tuesday.
According to reports, Charly Boy, whose legal name is Charles Oputa, collapsed after inhaling the tear gas.
Videos recorded as the violence unfolded showed one of the protestors, Theo Abu collapsing as he inhaled the tear gas.
For all the nuisance that campaigned for change, this is change.
— Adetutu Balogun (@Tutsy22) August 8, 2017
Over 120 policemen attacked about 10 of us. They used teargas, water cannon & dogs but there’s NO GOING BACK.
We continue tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Dz2zAo7htZ
— Adeyanju Deji ?? (@adeyanjudeji) August 8, 2017
A photos shows a police sergeant, Idiake Julius attacking a SilverBird TV journalist, Amadin Uyi.
The group says that his camera was confiscated by armed policemen.
Picture of the Silverbird TV reporter Amadin Uyi being beaten up by police at the Unity fountain earlier today. #ResumeOrResign pic.twitter.com/5mE2IjpseN
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) August 8, 2017
“Having conducted ourselves peacefully and properly on Monday, we sought to conduct our daily sit out in the same manner today [Tuesday],” Deji Adeyanju told The Trent in an e-mail.
“We were surprised to find policemen at the Unity Park venue of the sit-out in large number but sought to peacefully go about our affairs.
“None of the participants at our sit-out was armed or carrying weapons of any sort.
“None of our participants were confrontational or aggressive with the police. At various points, we insisted on our rights to peacefully gather but at no time was any police man or officer threatened with physical violence of any sort.
“There is an abundance of evidence on social media that shows that at all times the Nigerian Police was the aggressor using attack dogs, tear gas, water cannons and other such materials to threaten, harass and intimidate participants at the sit out. They went as far as wounding a journalist with Silverbird Television, Amadin Uyi,” Adeyanju maintained.
Victim of police brutality at #ResumeOrResign protest @Shalomttheo in Abuja hospital as doctors attend to him using phone torch light. RT pic.twitter.com/YNOgNa0Ed7
— REPORT AFRIQUE International (@reportsafrique) August 8, 2017
We just visited @Shalomttheo & the Silverbird journalists that were attacked & injured by the police. #ResumeOrResign
NO GOING BACK pic.twitter.com/nPRMuklqnn
— Adeyanju Deji ?? (@adeyanjudeji) August 8, 2017
VIDEO: One of the #returnorresign protesters who was attacked by police receiveing treatment at Federal Staff Clinic Federal Sec. Abuja pic.twitter.com/zxM3pGZoEt
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) August 8, 2017
The “resume or resign‘ protests is on-going at Abuja House in London, UK where the president is reportedly lodging.