Soldiers storm Abuja, take over streets, as #ENDSARS protests continue despite several warnings and advise from well-meaning Nigerians that soldiers should not be deployed to streets in Nigeria until the demands of #ENDSARS protesters are taken care of.
Soldiers have been stationed around strategic places in the federal capital territory (FCT).
This development comes amid protests by Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality and a reform of the force.
The #EndSARS protests have persisted for more than a week across the country.
The army had issued a statement, saying it would embark on a nationwide operation codenamed, ‘Crocodile Smile’.
Civil society organisations had kicked against the army’s plan to deploy soldiers in the streets to clamp down on protesters.
Although the army said its operation was not targeted at protesters, on Monday, soldiers could be seen lined up on major roads across the FCT.
Alliance for Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, a group led by Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, had warned the army leadership of consequences if soldiers unleashed violence on protesters.
#EndSARS protesters in the nation’s capital have faced attacks by thugs wielding clubs and machetes.
Anthony Onome, a protester, was stabbed on Saturday when he and other agitators protesting against police brutality were attacked by hoodlums in the Kubwa area of the FCT.
He died on Sunday.
Meanwhile, protesters around Kings Square in Benin City, the capital city of Edo State have broken the walls of the headquarters of the Nigeria Correctional Centre (Nigeria prisons in Benin).
The protesters, after gaining entrance into the prison through the fence freed inmates in the prisons along Benin Sapele Road, near Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ office.
The armed squad of prison officials were said to have engaged the suspected hoodlums in gun fire which left some persons injured.
Also destroyed was the High Court 4 which is beside the prison where the hoodlums vandalised
The hoodlums started gathering along Sapele Road beside the prison as early as 7 am setting bonfires and sending back road users.
They launched their attack when their number had swelled considerably; broke a part of the wall while some climbed the fence into the prison yard.
A few of the inmates escaped with gunshots while an elderly man was recaptured while walking away like a passerby.
Watch the video HERE where the protesters break Benin prisons, free inmates
