The last #EndSARS protests which were marred by carnage, arson and wanton will forever remain an indelible moment in the history of the country. The protest which was highly successfully organised received global attention, as world leaders, celebrities all over the world showed solidarity, as Nigerian youths took to the streets to protest against police brutality.
End SARS or #EndSARS is a decentralised social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria. The slogan calls for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of abuses. The protests which took its name from the slogan started in 2017 as a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #ENDSARS to demand the disbanding of the unit by the Nigerian government. After experiencing a revitalisation in October 2020 following more revelations of the abuses of the unit, mass demonstrations occurred throughout the major cities of Nigeria, accompanied by vociferous outrage on social media platforms. About 28 million tweets bearing the hashtag have been accumulated on Twitter alone. Solidarity protests and demonstrations by Nigerians in diaspora and sympathizers occurred in many major cities of the world. The protests are notable for its patronage by a demography that is made of entirely young Nigerians.
On the night of 20 October 2020, at about 6:50 p.m, members of the Nigerian Armed Forces opened fire on peaceful End SARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Officials have not disclosed the number of casualties. Nigerian musician DJ Switch, a witness who was present at the shooting, said that armed soldiers and police officers shot at her and other peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday night. She said at least 15 people were killed in the shootings and that she and other survivors took the victims’ bodies to the soldiers who took them away. In addition, there have been complaints about missing persons (friends and family members), and few have been confirmed to be hospitalized and in critical condition. A day after the incident (21 October 2020), the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, initially denied any loss of life by gunfire, but later admitted on an interview with CNN that two persons were killed. Amnesty International stated that at least 12 protesters were killed in what the organisation described as “extrajudicial executions”
On the 15 of October, Sahara Reporters reported that thugs sponsored by the government launched an attack on peaceful #ENDSARS protesters demonstrating at the Lagos State House of Assembly, although it has earlier been reported in another location prior before the time.
Gradually, as days go by, it was growing into another mess, as hoodlums took over Lagos as more and more facilities and assets were burnt. But the shooting at Lekki toll gate further aggravated the issue as some took to streets. Some of the facilities and assets that were affected include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) headquarters in, which was set ablaze; Sanwo-Olu’s family home; BRT terminals at Oyingbo and Berger; Lagos Television (LTV); Television Continental (TVC); and The Nation Newspapers.
Despite the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide-Sanwo-Olu, to curb the spread of violence arising from the #EndSARS protests, hoodlums still took over the state, unleashing mayhem, and burning public and private assets.
A lot of people couldn’t believe the extent at which hoodlums went on a rampage as they believe these guys were sponsored to disrupt Lagos and other parts of Yoruba states. As you all know, Lagos is the commercial city of Nigeria.
Some people are also saying the attack is politically motivated to weaken Yoruba structure comes 2023.
Below are some of the reasons it was believed so!
This became more obvious when a group of people went to TVC to burn down the station. An eye witnessed confirmed to City People that they had already missed the route to the station but they were alerted by the signpost of TVC. And when they got inside the station they assured the workers that they didn’t come to kill anyone, but they made sure every valuable item was burnt down. According to our insider, “they could all speak good English and immediately they brought down the station, they said there next target was The Nation Newspaper.
Another amazing fact about this scenario is that they didn’t use a car or jeep for their operation. Many people who saw them said they went around on a bike. The security forces couldn’t stop them and were free to roam about without questioning.
Well-meaning Nigerians have asked a lot of questions about the whole crisis. Like, how can an ordinary hoodlum who is only hungry go and destroy public assets like Nigeria Port Authority, Apapa and would want to set it ablaze? Why would some go to Tincan and set it ablaze?
Another angle which is also valid is the election of 2023. A lot of people believe that they don’t want the Yoruba candidacy and they are ready to give another zone.
We all could remember few weeks back when the endsars protests began, it was alleged that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was the sponsor of the protest and many Nigerians who aren’t Yoruba also shared this sentiment. So, what some people are saying is that they want to cripple the top candidate for 2023 presidency.
Another person who spoke about this issue is the Editor, The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina. He said in a statement last week that armed men on motorcycles invaded the headquarters of the paper on Fatai Atere Way, Matori in Lagos yesterday afternoon.
He said: “In a commando-like manner, they kicked their way into the premises after scaring away the security men on duty, brandishing their sophisticated guns.
“They poured petrol on the frontage of the building and set fire to it.
“Some of the vehicles parked within the premises were also set ablaze.
“Hundreds of boys that followed the men on motorbike swooped on the office and looted everything they could lay their hands on.
“These include desktop computers, laptops, air conditioners and other office equipment.”
Adesina further disclosed that at the time of the attack, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief Mr. Victor Ifijeh, was among those trapped within the office while the fire raged on.
He added that they were, however, evacuated when men of Operation MESA security outfit arrived.
He described the incident as a targeted attack on the free press.
“The Nation had been listed on Twitter and other social media platforms, being promoted by sympathisers of the ongoing destructive activities, as a target of attack.
“The Nation has robustly reported the protests fairly, giving voice to the agitation of youths for a better Nigeria.
“The management is at a loss as to why the company should be a target of such an unwarranted attack,” he said.
Also affected were several BRT buses that were burnt at Berger, as well as parts of Lagos City Mall, Igbosere Magistrate Court and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Secretariat.
The angry mob set ablaze facilities in Jakande, Lekki, while a Shoprite Mall in Sangotedo was looted.
The irate youths also stormed Television Continental (TVC) and set it ablaze with the staff on duty.
Again, it took concerted efforts from the deployment of anti-riot policemen before the staff could escape to safety.
Reporters attached to African Independent Television (AIT) and Silverbird Television were harassed by the mob, who accused them of spying on their activities.
Emergency and safety services were not left out in the attacks as the offices of the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at Ojodu were razed including their vehicles.
