The device was discovered in a bag dropped by an unregistered vehicle along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, the police spokesperson told The PUNCH on Wednesday.
The Nigeria Police Force claims to have successfully neutralised an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Ikeja area, according to Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin.
The device was discovered in a bag dropped by an unregistered vehicle along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, the police spokesperson told The PUNCH on Wednesday.
However, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has knocked the police over the account, accusing them of planting the device to intimidate and deter people from participating in the upcoming 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest, scheduled to begin on August 1.
Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, questioned the police's motives, suggesting a deliberate attempt to undermine the protest.
Sowore in a post on his X account on Wednesday said: “BREAKINGBADGOVT: The @PoliceNG in Lagos planted an IED-like device beside a police station and are about to claim it was planted by "foreign mercenaries" in an attempt to blackmail protesters.”
“DON'T FALL FOR THIS LATEST PROPAGANDA. Recall that the IGP mentioned at his Zoom meeting yesterday that they can't be sure is suicide bombers would join protesters. #NOGOINGBACK #EndBadGovernance #DaysOfRage,” he added.
Nigerians are mobilising en masse to stage a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10, expressing their discontent with the hardships inflicted by President Bola Tinubu's administration.
However, a group of thugs allegedly loyal to the President and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to intimidate marketers and residents in Lagos Island's popular market. In a viral video, the thugs used a sound amplifier to threaten severe consequences for anyone participating in the protests, sparking widespread outrage and concerns about the government's attempts to suppress citizens' rights to peaceful assembly.
“Things should not get destroyed in Lagos. If they close your shops, what will you do?” one of the thugs said.
“We dare anyone to come out on Thursday to join the protest. This is just a warning,” he added.
https://x.com/yelesowore/