There is an expected showdown between the men of the Lagos State Police Command, Lagos Airport Police Command and students, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over the students’ plan to ground the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday (today).
VANTAGE NEWS reports that the students’ planned blockade is in continuation of their protest against the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The students had told The Punch that they will commence the grounding of the nation’s airports with that of Lagos on Monday (today).
However, police authorities had warned against the action, saying that the students “are free to come out and see what awaits them.”
National Taskforce Chairman of NANS, Ojo stated that the association was fully aware of plans by the Federal Government to use the military against the planned protest.
Ojo said the move would, however, not stop the association’s protest at the Lagos airport.
He said, “We can secure ourselves against external forces. We are aware that the Federal Government is mobilising the military to the venue of our protest but that will not stop us from barricading the airport.
“Since last Tuesday, we have been grounding the major highways from Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Guru Maharaji, we blocked Gbongan and so on. These are the roads being used by the masses, so we decided to focus on the routes government officials use most, which are the international airports and others.
“Nigerians should reschedule their flights because tomorrow (today) will be grounded. No one will go out, no one will come in.”
Dismissing the threat, the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin said, “Speaking from a position of confidence, everything is intact, and there is no threat on the airport or the airspace.
“However, the protesters who issued the threat are free to come out and see what awaits them. We, however, urge law-abiding Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of intimidation or harassment.”
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