James Ojo, The CableNG
Debo ‘Mr Macaroni’ Adebayo, Nigerian comedian, says police officers who arrested him and other protesters at Lekki tollgate told them that they would have been killed if the demonstration had taken place at night.
The entertainer spoke in a video on Sunday — less than 24 hours after he was arrested alongside other youth over their involvement in the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest.
In the now-viral video, the comedian bared lurid details of what transpired from the point of arrest to when they were granted bail.
According to Mr Macaroni, the police took them to Adeniyi axis of Lagos where they were beaten and stripped naked.
The 28-year-old comedian cum activist, who was an active participant of the #EndSARS campaign in October 2020, said they were told that had it been the protest occurred at night, they would all have been killed.
“If the word was not out that people were already being arrested, people would have died. They were telling us that ‘we’ll shoot you and nothing will happen. If it was night, all of una for don die” he said.
“They took us to Adeniji where we were beaten and stripped naked. Everyone was beaten. These people don’t care about anyone. Them beat me, saying I’ll get sense by force. They also destroyed my phone.”
He, however, said that the continued clampdown on protesters will not stop him from speaking out about the inherent ills in the society.
“So, we’re in a serious shame but it’s not to silence our voices. They cannot continue to oppress. Those of us that have the voice will continue to talk,” the comedian added.
“Have we gotten justice for want happened last year? Is opening the tollgate the next line of action?”
The entertainer went on to speak about claims that he collected money from Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president.
“I don’t believe in curses. But for anyone saying l collect money from Atiku or whoever it is, that’s their business in the first place,” he said.
“Two, if l didn’t collect money from anybody, you’ll not make it for the rest of your life. Your children will suffer. I know some believe that. But those that know me understand that I have been speaking for myself and people around me right from secondary school days.”
