Some aggrieved residents of Lekki and Ajah in Lagos took to the streets to protest the recent hike in toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates.
The protest, which was convened under the banner of Eti-Osa Development Forum, started early morning with the protesters gathering at the Lekki Penninsula Scheme 1 gate.
The protesters demanded that the Lagos State Government stop the operation of the Lekki Concession Company, operators of the tolls and disclose the financial statements of the company since the concession was bought by the state government.
However, the police initially prevented the protesters from marching on the streets; the commander who led the security operatives later softened his stance after an agreement was reached with the conveners that the procession will be peaceful.
Meanwhile, a fight broke out some minutes after the procession took off, about eight thugs, allegedly hired by the Lekki Concession Company, appeared from the shadows demanding an end to the protest.
A report says when the protesters resisted, the thugs started to shove them about smashed a phone out of the hands of a female reporter and damaged the camera of a media crew.
The protesters who were unhappy about the occurrence raised their voices and demanded immediate action from the police who then swung into action, arrested the thugs, led them away and dumped them inside a Black Maria vehicle stationed nearby.
The protest thereafter continued along the Admiralty Way and terminated at the Lekki Phase 1 Roundabout, causing slow movement of traffic while the conveners addressed the crowd.
