On Wednesday, police in Lagos used tear gas to disperse para-athletes protesting their exclusion from the 2022 National Sports Festival in Delta state in Surulere, Lagos.
Videos that have been shared on social media depict people with disabilities running for cover as police fire shots to frighten the demonstrators away from obstructing the route leading to the National Stadium in Surulere.
According to a Rebecca-identified witness, some para-athletes were reportedly left out of the next National Sports Festival.
According to her, the athletes were informed that there aren’t enough resources to help them while they compete.
She described how the demonstrators gathered on the street and demanded that Sunday Dare, the minister of sport, address them, but the police shot tear gas at them, causing mayhem.
According to Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesman for the Lagos police; in order to disperse the mob, the security personnel only used limited force.
“A group of people were dispersed with minimal force, as prescribed by law, after they refused all persuasion to leave the highway for free flow of traffic. Many Nigerians had complained of being illegally restrained in traffic. We rose to the occasion. No assault, injury or death,” Mr Hundeyin said.
