Hoodlums attack journalists, protesters at march against Lekki toll fare hike

Journalists and protesters were attacked today during a demonstration organised to reject the increase in toll fare at the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge and the tollgate on the Lekki-Epe expressway.

The Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) had reviewed the fares last week, attributing the development to “current business realities and increasing cost of operation”.

Residents and road users protesting agaonst the increase converged on Admiralty Way, Lekki, as early as 7am displaying placards and chanting songs to demand a reversal of the increment.

According to TheCable, the protest was going on peacefully until a group of young men started attacking people. Before they began, the attackers were shouting “stop protesting”.

“The hoodlums unplugged the generator which was connected to the speakers on a moving truck. Immediately they realised that we were journalists, they descended on us,” a jounalist with the news medium, Mansur Ibrahim said.

“As I was taking pictures of the incident, one of the boys ran towards me and tried to break the camera but I protected it. However, a blow landed on my head.”

A Channels Television cameraman got his camera broken.

The report said some police officers moved in and arrested the attackers. They were locked up in a van commonly referred to as “Black Maria”, while the demonstration continued.

Photos: TheCable