Anti-Buhari Protest: Police Rescue Charly Boy From Irate Youths
BY ALIJO SYLVESTER, ABUJA – Convener of the group demanding for the return or resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy or Area Father, on Tuesday narrowly escaped being lynched by pro-President Buhari supporters at the Wuse Market, Abuja.
While the timely intervention of officers and men of the Nigerian Police saved Charly Boy, who had taken his campaign to Wuse Market, Abuja, his BMW car was, however, damaged.
The musician has been at the forefront of leading a group called ‘Our Mumudondo’, to demand for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from London or his immediate resignation.
Eyewitness’ account told Forefront that Charly Boy had to flee on seeing the youth that surged towards his direction for direct attack. The police that quickly mobilized had to resort to firing guns and teargas to disperse the youth who were determined to launch an attack on Charly Boy.
“Charly Boy, who is campaigning on the aegis of ‘OurMumudondo’’ never believed that owing to his popularity, he could be attacked, and thus stormed the Wuse Market with his campaign train to drum support only to meet a group of traders and some irate youths that went after him.
“Charly Boy had to run for his dear life leaving behind his vehicle that was damaged but later recovered and taken away by the Police that were almost overpowered until they resorted to use of bullets to disperse the angry ground.”
The ‘Area father’, who had earlier arrived the popular market with some video cameramen to record his protest met resistance as some pro-Buhari supporters mainly youths pursued him with intention to grab and give him the beating of his life.
The musician and his fellow campaigners were last week attacked by security officials who dispersed his group using teargas and water bullets at the Unity fountain, Abuja where they had gathered.
Another eye witness told Forefront that he was standing in front of his shop when he saw Charly Boy running for his dear life as he was being chased by the youth.
He further said; “They nearly lynched him, because those youths almost overpowered police security near him. He was rescued by the police who fired gunshots and tear-gas to disperse the crowd.
“It was the same policemen that later came back and removed his damaged vehicles from the market, using tear-gas to disperse the protesters who tried to stop them.
The gates of the market were immediately locked while armed security men manned all entry and exit points