Get Guardian on GoogleA Coalition of over 300 women’s rights groups, under the banner of Womanifesto, has called out the Lagos State government and the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged assault on Executive Director of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, Yemi Adamolekun, during last week’s #EndSARS memorial in Lagos.
The coalition described the attack, reportedly carried out by Man O’ War volunteers acting under the directive of police officers, as “an affront to democracy and a shameful violation of citizens’ rights.
In a protest letter addressed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and copied to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and other stakeholders, Womanifesto expressed outrage that Adamolekun was harassed while peacefully laying a wreath to honour victims of the 2020 #EndSARS massacre.
The correspondence, signed by Founding Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, condemned what it described as “state-enabled intimidation” and warned that such actions erode public confidence in government institutions.
“Such abuse of power and disregard for the rights of citizens not only undermine the credibility of law enforcement agencies but also tarnish the human rights record of both the Lagos State and federal governments,” the coalition noted.
Womanifesto stressed that the use of force against peaceful citizens signals intolerance of civic participation and undermines Nigeria’s democratic values.
The coalition demanded a public apology from the Lagos State government, the Lagos Police Command, and Man O’ War Nigeria.
Furthermore, the group urged authorities to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights to assemble, mourn, and express themselves freely without fear or intimidation.
