Mixed reactions are trailing a Twitter post by popular comedian, Debo Adebayo a.k.a Mr Macaroni, where he alleged policemen took turns beating him after his arrest during the #OcuppyLekkiTollGate protest.
The comedian, who spent time in police custody for participating in the protest, alleged that a policeman said he would have killed him but but “people would ask about” him.
WuzupNigeria reported that at least 40 #OccupyLekkiTollGate protesters, including Macaroni, were arrested two months ago for staging a protest against the reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate to demand justice for the victims of the October 20, 2020 incident that allegedly claimed the lives of 12 protesters, leaving others injured.
The #OccupyLekkiTollgate march, a sequel to the #EndSARS protest, was informed by the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to allow the Lekki Concession Company to reopen the Lekki tollgate after about four months of investigating the Lekki shootings.
The #EndSARS protests had spread across the country in October 2020 to register the youths’ grievances against the alleged atrocities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.
The protest, which gained massive international attention, came to a halt on October 20, 2020, when heavily armed soldiers allegedly shot protesters at the Lekki tollgate.
In a tweet on Sunday, Macaroni wrote, “When I was at Adeniji police station, the police officers took turns to beat me up. They were even calling themselves to come and beat ‘Mr Macaroni’.
“They said in my life when next I hear police, I will run! One said if not that people would ask about me, he would have killed me.”
Reacting, one @TeddyReign doubted Mr. Macaroni’s claims. He said, “be calming down while lieing an, they beat you turn by turn yet no injury, make una de fear god ooo.”
But another user, @Oluomoofderby is of the opinion that “Unless Nigerian citizens wake up and put a stop to this madness in our society, Nigerians will keep on living like slaves. In other countries, a police officer can’t even slap you. It’s impossible.
@OBA__WEALTH, “You’ve said this before already! Take action and stop telling us stories… we all know this police brutality is definitely not going to stop so why can’t we all just stay safe! Ask yourself why are you the only know celeb who came out that day? What happened to others?”
Meanwhile, @femcotezCares sympathised with Macaroni by saying, “Take heart bro. God will heal you complete n restore all you’ve lost in Jesus name.”
“I don’t believe you joor! You don start again… If you want popularity the more in Nigeria, just start forming activist. Do what you do best. Comedy skits. Leave government alone, another user, @realozigi added.
@Seed_ola however feels that “Until government start running public offices like “an institution” & not their extended family house, this thing called democracy will continue to elude this country. Democracy is a system but they turned it into family affair. God is your wings brother. Ooin you’re doing well.”
