Tobias Sylvester
Popular Nigerian comedian, Debo Adebayo who is better known as Mr Macaroni, has narrated his experience with the police after he was arrested along with other protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State.
!["We Were Stripped Naked, Beaten And Threatened By Police" - Comedian Mr Macaroni [Video] 1](https://media.kanyidaily.com/2021/02/14151250/Mr-Macaroni.jpg "\"We Were Stripped Naked, Beaten And Threatened By Police\" - Comedian Mr Macaroni [Video] 1")
KanyiDaily had reported how Mr Macaroni was arrested on Saturday after he was seen via his Instagram live giving an update about the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest.
In a video shared on his Twitter page after he was granted bail, 28-year-old comedian said he was initially scared to join the protest because he had received numerous calls from his parents, siblings and friends not to join the protest.
He explained that he later joined the protest because he knew people would be there.
Mr Macaroni alleged his phones were destroyed after he was arrested and also had bruises all around his body because they were stripped and beaten by security operatives who also threatened to kill them if the protest had occurred at night.
“The only reason I went there is because I knew people would be there and in good conscience, I don’t know …
“But I knew people would die and I saw it, and I can confirm it that if words did not get out, people would have died because nobody would have known where anybody was or who picked up who.
“The country’s current situation is a ‘deep shit’, everyone is scared for their lives. When we were picked up, we were taken to Adeniji, we were beaten and stripped naked,” he said.
He called for unity, especially among celebrities urging people to desist from creating division among them on basis of who joined the protest or not.
Me Macaroni said the other 39 persons who got arrested stood their grounds.
“These 39 people gave me the ginger to join the protest. They are the real heroes. They were not out to fight but just to ask why the toll gate should be opened,” he said.
He alleged the police officers, who arrested the protesters, said they would have killed them but everyone had known of their arrest.
He dismissed allegations that he was being bankrolled by anyone, stressing he has never collected money from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or anybody to protest.
Mr Macaroni thanked the youths for speaking up and also expressed gratitude to Nigerians who rallied support for him and other protesters.
Watch the video below:
— Mr Macaroni (@mrmacaronii) February 14, 2021
KangiDaily had also reported that singer, Idahams, and DJ Brightstar were also arrested by the police for participating in the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest.
