The arrest and subsequent detention of the Convener of the #RevolutionNow Protest, Omoyele Sowore did not stop some of his supporters and sympathisers from going ahead with the march which was eventually halted by the police.
The protest in Osogbo, Osun State capital took a different twist when a 70-year -old woman, Sariya Akanmu, who joined the protesters was ‘brutalised’ by the police.
Photocredit: PremiumTimes
The action by the police was greeted by a lot of criticism but the 70-year-old ‘fufu’ (starch) seller, in an interview with Premium Times explained why she joined the protest and how she was attacked.
“I heard the protesters talking about suffering in Nigeria and particularly unemployment. I have kids who are yet to secure jobs many years after graduation. I became moved by their demands,” she said in Yoruba.
“I was dragged from the protest and beaten by two police officers. One of them hit me with his boot. My cloth got torn and was left helpless,” she said.
When asked what she expects a good society to be, she said in Yoruba: “A good society should have good roads, regular power supply, employment opportunities, and most importantly, accessible education. I wish the government, just like Awolowo did in his days, will provide free education.”
She said her children graduated from the university but could not get jobs. One is now a carpenter while the other is a brick layer.
She vowed to participate in future protests if notified.
“I have got nothing to lose at 70,” she said.
