‘Hoodlums’ attack TheCable journalist during Lekki protest

Suspected hoodlums attacked Mansur Ibrahim, a journalist with TheCable, during a protest organised against the increase in toll fare at the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge and the tollgate on the Lekki-Epe expressway.

The Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) had reviewed the fares last week, attributing the development to “current business realities and increasing cost of operation”.

But some residents and road users kicked against it and organised a protest to make their position known.

Protesters converged on Admiralty Way, Lekki, as early as 7am. Wielding placards and chanting song, the people demanded a reversal of the increment.

The protest was going on peacefully until a group of young men started attacking people. Before they began, the attackers were shouting “stop protesting”.

“The hoodlums unplugged the generator which was connected to the speakers on a moving truck. Immediately they realised that we were journalists, they descended on us,” Ibrahim said.

“As I was taking pictures of the incident, one of the boys ran towards me and tried to break the camera but I protected it. However, a blow landed on my head.”

However, a Channels Television cameraman was unlucky as his camera got broken.

Some police officers moved in and arrested the attackers. They were locked up in a van commonly referred to as “Black Maria”, while the demonstration continued.