Security operatives have taken over Moshood Abiola National Stadium, venue of the hunger protest in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
Conveners of the protest had demanded to use Eagle Square for convergence but they were denied access.
Authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) later obtained a court order which restricted the protesters to MKO Abiola National Stadium, where the exercise held on the first two days.
The organisers have vowed that the demonstration would hold non-stop for 10 straight days.
Initially, there was a lull in the exercise in the early hours of the day, with one of the organisers giving different excuses for the absence of protesters. However, protesters started grouping outside the Stadium.
They had not spent up to an hour when policemen on ground fired gunshots and teargas to disperse them.
After the group of protesters were dispersed, another group started gathering. This time around, the police not only released teargas but started picking up anyone in sight.
The journalists among those arrested had to identify themselves before they were released and ordered to leave immediately.
Our correspondent who left the venue but monitored the situation from afar later observed the arrival of masked officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The DSS officials, who arrived in seven vehicles, mounted a post at a strategic position outside the stadium.
Neither journalists nor protesters could move close to the protest venue as of the time of filing this report, as armed security personnel were on surveillance.
Meanwhile, leading Human Rights group, Amnesty International Nigeria, says over 50 protesters were arrested in Abuja on the third day of the demonstration against hardship in the land.
In a tweet on Saturday, Amnesty International said: “The Nigerian authorities must immediately end the ongoing violent crackdown on peaceful protesters who convened at Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja. The over 50 peaceful protesters arbitrarily arrested across the FCT must be released immediately and unconditionally.
“The shocking and unconscionable use of deadly force on protesters against hunger in the FCT is unacceptable. Those suspected of responsibility must be held to account. People have the right to peacefully demand accountability through protests. This right must be respected. “
The development comes after Chris Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, said the military would take action if the situation gets out of hand.
