Police tear-gas women in protest

Nigerian police threw tear gas and arrested women staging a peaceful rally on Friday to protest poor air safety after a plane crash last week in which about 50 of the 106 killed were children.About 200 mothers wearing black gathered in an upmarket area of Lagos to deliver a letter of protest to the government when riot police surrounded them, witnesses said.

“We told them we were concerned mothers of Nigeria and we insisted on walking to government house, but they blocked the road and threw tear gas in front of us and behind us,” said Bola Belgore, who was one of 17 women subsequently arrested. Having earlier denied that tear gas was used against the women, the police said they had apologised.”Maybe the tear gas ought not to have been used and that is why I have apologised,” said Inspector-General Ehindero, adding that the rally was illegal.- Nampa-ReutersHaving earlier denied that tear gas was used against the women, the police said they had apologised.”Maybe the tear gas ought not to have been used and that is why I have apologised,” said Inspector-General Ehindero, adding that the rally was illegal.- Nampa-Reuters