Protesters Storm Ikeja Underbridge Amid Heavy Police Presence On Democracy Day

Protesters gathered at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos on Wednesday morning, June 12, as part of Democracy Day demonstrations against the current state of governance in Nigeria.

The protest, organized by civil society groups and pro-democracy activists, is aimed at drawing attention to widespread economic hardship, rising insecurity, and what they describe as a failure of leadership under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The atmosphere at the protest site was tense but orderly, with a significant police presence deployed to maintain peace. Officers from the Area F Police Division and other security agencies were stationed in and around the area, monitoring the crowd and ensuring that the demonstration remained peaceful.

Organizers of the protest—representing more than 15 registered civil society organizations—had earlier announced that all protesters would converge at the Ikeja Underbridge before proceeding to Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota for a larger rally. The movement, under the #EndBadGovernance banner, emphasized that the protest was meant to be peaceful and symbolic, aligning with the spirit of Democracy Day.

In a statement, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Owohunwa Idowu, assured citizens that their rights to peaceful assembly would be respected, while also urging protesters to conduct themselves responsibly.

As chants and placards filled the air, the message was clear: Nigerians are demanding better governance, accountability, and real democratic progress.