Honorable Abdul Oroh, a former commissioner in Edo State, has recounted harrowing experiences from Nigeria’s pro-democracy protests under the military government of General Sani Abacha in 1998, revealing the extreme measures used by security forces to suppress dissent.
In an interview on State Affairs with Edmund Obilo, Oroh described his participation in the “Five-Million-Man March,” a massive demonstration held in Yaba, Lagos State, aimed at protesting the Abacha regime and demanding the restoration of democratic governance.
During the protest, prominent human rights lawyer and activist Olisa Agbakoba was arrested and reportedly forced into the boot of a car by police officers. “Olisa was arrested and put in the boot of a car,” Oroh recalled. Agbakoba was later taken away but released the following day by a magistrate court, showing the delicate balance between military oppression and judicial interventions at the time.
Oroh further revealed a chilling detail regarding the level of threat faced by pro-democracy activists. According to him, Sergeant Rogers, an officer present during the march, later told prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana that he had received orders to assassinate Agbakoba during the protest. “In fact, Sergeant Rogers told Femi Falana later that he had instructions to kill Olisa but he couldn’t find him. The police had taken him away. Eventually Olisa was released the next day by a magistrate court,” Oroh stated.
The revelation underscores the perilous environment in which activists operated, highlighting the risks faced by those who dared challenge military rule. The “Five-Million-Man March” was a landmark in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, bringing together thousands of citizens and activists to demand a return to civilian governance despite the threat of violence….See More
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