Posted by The Lagos State Police Command has arrested several activists and community leaders, according to the Coalition for Affordable and Reliable Electricity (CARE).
In a statement released to the kuryaloaded on Wednesday evening, the organization demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the ten imprisoned demonstrators.
On Wednesday, authorities from Tolu Police Station in Lagos State arrested some citizens who were protesting Eko Electricity Distribution Company’s exorbitant electricity costs.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the arrest.
In response to a kuryaloaded inquiry, Hundeyin stated that the demonstrators were arrested for assaulting electrical workers and disturbing public order.
“They were not arrested for protesting,” he stated. They were arrested for assaulting power workers and causing public disturbance. They will face legal consequences”.
CARE, on the other hand, has demanded that the demonstrators be released immediately.
The group claimed that the distribution company’s management was behind the demonstrators’ arrest.
CARE requested a halt to police arrests, detentions, and attacks on innocent community members and activists in a statement signed by Chinedu Bosah (National Coordinator) and Shoyombo Monsuru (National Secretary).
“The Eko Power Distribution Company, like the other private electricity firms, is renowned for generating unreasonable and excessive electricity bills in order to collect enormous profits,” it claimed.
“Since November 2013, when the electrical sector was privatized, communities have been left in the dark, while tariffs have progressively increased. Power providers have also refused to provide residents with prepaid meters, allowing them to issue bogus projected bills.
“We demand a halt to police arrest, detention, and violence on innocent community people and activists. The Coalition for Affordable and Reliable Electricity (CARE) requests that the ten jailed Ajegunle protesters be released immediately and unconditionally.
“Family members and members of various groups attended the Tolu Divisional Police Station, but the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Etuk Akanyene, refused to release the peaceful demonstrators.
“Apparently, the directive from the Eko Distribution Company is to brutalize and jail the demonstrators and finally bring them to court on trumped-up accusations. We request that protest calls and texts be directed to CSP Etuk Akanyene at 08034448617, with a request that all demonstrators be released.