A coalition of more than 300 women’s rights organizations under the Womanifesto movement has condemned the reported assault on Ms. Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, during the #EndSARS memorial event in Lagos.
The group alleged that Ms. Adamolekun was attacked by members of Man O’ War, said to be acting under the directives of police officers, while she was laying a wreath in honour of victims of the 2020 #EndSARS shootings.
In a protest letter addressed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and other authorities, Womanifesto described the incident as “a blatant violation of democratic principles and human dignity.”
The letter, signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founding Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), on behalf of the coalition, expressed deep concern over what it called “state-supervised aggression” against peaceful citizens.
“Such abuse of power and disregard for the rights of citizens not only erode public confidence in law enforcement but also blemish the human rights record of both the Lagos State and Federal Governments,” the group said.
Condemning the attack as “undemocratic and intolerant of civic participation,” Womanifesto demanded a public apology from the Lagos State Government, the Police Command, and Man O’ War Nigeria to Ms. Adamolekun and the Nigerian public.
It further called for a swift and transparent investigation into the conduct of those involved, with sanctions imposed on anyone found culpable.
The coalition also urged authorities to demonstrate a firm commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, commemoration, and free expression.
Womanifesto appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to act promptly to rebuild public trust in the government’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.