Media personality Lolo 1 has voiced strong criticism against the recent use of tear gas by security forces on peaceful protesters in Abuja, calling the action both excessive and unnecessary.
The protest, which was organized by the Take-It-Back Movement in collaboration with various civil society groups, aimed to highlight Nigeria’s escalating economic crisis and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act.
Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, law enforcement intervened by deploying tear gas to disperse the gathering, a move that sparked outrage and condemnation from citizens and activists alike. Lolo 1, known for her bold stance on societal issues, was among those who questioned the need for such a heavy-handed approach.
Speaking out against the authorities’ response, Lolo 1 challenged the reasoning behind using force to break up a peaceful protest. She pointed out that the protesters were not engaged in any form of violence and questioned why the police resorted to tear gas.
“People have a constitutional right to gather peacefully. That’s their right, it’s in the law. But when citizens come together without any sign of violence, without weapons or any form of disturbance, why respond with such force?” she remarked.
Her statement reflected the confusion and frustration many felt over the disproportionate response from security forces, who appeared to view a peaceful assembly as a threat.
Lolo 1’s remarks continued to address the broader implications of such actions on the country’s democratic values. She criticized the authorities’ tendency to view peaceful protests as potential threats, arguing that this mindset undermines the very foundation of a democratic society.
“Even if they were chanting, it’s just words. Words don’t become bullets. So, why fire tear gas into a crowd that hasn’t shown any aggression? Was there anything they did to suggest they’d disrupt public order? If not, then wasn’t that show of force too aggressive?” she questioned.
Her comments reflected a deeper concern about the erosion of citizens’ rights to freely express dissent without fear of retaliation from the state.
The protest itself was a direct response to the ongoing economic hardship faced by many Nigerians, as well as the growing concerns about the abuse of the Cybercrime Act, which critics argue is being used to silence opposition voices, particularly journalists and activists.
The Take-It-Back Movement and its allies assert that the law is being weaponized to intimidate and suppress freedom of speech, effectively stifling dissent in the country.
The decision to use tear gas on peaceful demonstrators, in Lolo 1’s view, was not just an attack on the protesters but a broader attempt to shut down any form of public expression that challenges the status quo.
In the aftermath of the incident, Lolo 1’s outcry has resonated with many who feel that the government’s response was not only disproportionate but also indicative of a broader trend of repressing public opinion.
The deployment of force against peaceful protesters has drawn widespread criticism, especially at a time when Nigerians are already grappling with significant economic challenges.
Lolo 1’s criticism of the authorities underscores a growing discontent with how the state treats its citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and free speech, a cornerstone of any functioning democracy.
