BREAKING: Heavy gunshots at June 12 protest rally in Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos

Security operatives have barricaded the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, venue of the June 12 protest in Lagos state.

Officers the Nigeria Police Force reportedly fired several shots into the air in a bid to stop protesters who gathered at the venue on Saturday.

The protesters brandished different placards with inscriptions including, “Buhari must go”, “Revert electricity tariff now”, “End Bad Government”.

Also about three hilux vehicles and two armoured tanks were seen at the venue.

The Lagos state police command in a statement had asked Lagosians to disregard any sit-at-home order called by certain groups.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of any planned protest in Lagos State to commemorate the 2021 Democracy Day on Saturday, 12th June, 2021,” the statement reads.

“In this regard, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, therefore appeals to members of the public to disregard any sit-at-home order called by certain groups which is being circulated on the social media and go about their lawful businesses, as the police and other security agencies have made necessary arrangements to maintain law and order across the state.”

READ ALSO: #June 12 protest: Police shoot teargas at protesters in Abuja

Meanwhile, the police shot teargas to disperse protesters in the Gudu area of Abuja as the country marked Democracy Day on June 12.

The protesters had earlier blocked the Gudu Junction to protest the state of the nation.

Similar protests were held across the country on Saturday.

The Unity Fountain in Abuja, which is a popular venue for protests in the nation’s capital, had been shy of protesters as of 8:15am.

However, at the Millennium Park just opposite the fountain, a few individuals wearing branded T-shirts with the inscription ‘I Stand With Buhari’ had pooled together.

They were reportedly to later embark on a road walk to mark Democracy Day.

‘Resign from office’

According to our correspondent, the protesters in Gudu had turned out in their numbers carrying placards and banners with various inscriptions.

Among their demands was the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari.

They are asking that President Muhammadu Buhari resign from office.

According to them the president has failed in addressing the challenges in the country, including that of insecurity.

Among those leading the protest were social activists Omoyele Sowore and Deji Adeyanju.

However, as the protesters continued their protest, heavily armed policemen stormed the scene and began shooting tear gas into the air, dispersing the protest.

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