It was insult to injury when Police brutalize artistes at the Artistes Village, National Theatre Iganmu, Lagos State where bulldozers have reduced all the shanties within the Artistes village to rubble this Saturday morning.
At the Artistes Village, National Theatre Iganmu, Lagos State, bulldozers have reduced all the shanties within the Artistes village to rubble this Saturday morning.
Gone with these shanties are personal belongings of some artistes who have creatively designed a way of survival for themselves as the government does little to encourage them to deploy their talents for the advancement of the country.
Most artistes who spoke with me confirmed their surprise at this reckless action as there was no notice from the government that such a thing will be taking place.
Also affected are petty traders who ply their trade within the vicinity as their wares have been destroyed while most of them are at home relaxing for the weekend.
There is a flood of tears presently flowing at the Artistes Village, National Theater as many artists helplessly watch while members of the Nigerian Police Force commandeered by one Kabiru Yusuf, the General Manager of the National Theater, Lagos destroyed their properties including art works worth millions of US Dollars.
Some of the artistes who tried to protest what they called “Government sponsored terrorism against the arts” were brutalized with one of them battling for his life as he got a bullet to his leg, while many others sustained various degree of injuries.
Preliminary investigation show that Mr. Kabiru Yusuf Yaradua whose highest professional experience prior to his appointment as the GM is being a camera man with the NTA, does not have any right to encroach into the facility as the Artistes Village has its own General Manager, whose responsibility it is to oversee business in the premises.
One of those stunned by this recklessness is the veteran Nollywood actor and theater impresario, Lari Williams.
Onwuasoanya Fcc Jones