A New Nigeria #EndSars
A group of protesters started a movement which was termed the #EndSars protest (this hashtag first surfaced in 2017) in the country of Nigeria. The rally called for dissolving the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ‘Sars’ due to their incessant extortion and brutality.
According to a report released by the Washington post: ‘Amnesty International said it has recorded 82 cases of SARS abuses over the past three years, including beatings, hangings, mock executions, sexual assault and waterboarding.’
(Note: the images below in this article were shared on Whats app and other social media platforms and obtained by this reporter on the scene in Nigeria.)
What started locally in Lagos (the former capital of the country) sprung across every state of the nation within 24 hours.
In less than 48 hours Nigerians in diaspora joined the same #EndSars protest with local and international celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Cardi B, Yara Shahidi and others showing concern, additionally a lot of social media influencers have extended their voice to the cause.
The democratic nominee for President of the United States, Joe Biden, also had this to say, “The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy”.
At around 2 pm on the 20th of October 2020 some men were spotted removing the security cameras stationed where the Lagos Lekki protest was ongoing. When questioned, they answered they were directed to do so.
During the late hours the same day the LED billboards providing light where shut down and the streetlights were turned off.
A few minutes later, while the protesters where singing the countries national anthem, a bloody massacre blew out as the group of #endsars protesters were shot at by some troops of the Nigerian army.
This left hundreds scrambling for their lives, some dead and some seriously injured.
According to a report by Amnesty International, ‘At least 12 people killed at Alausa and Lekki Toll Gate Lagos, Hundreds severely injured, CCTV dismantled to cover murder’.
Protesters had to run and hide. Those severely injured could not be treated as, it was reported, the military persons on the scene would not allow the ambulance and paramedics get access to the people.
The countries’ Vice president Yemi Osinbajo said on twitter : “My heart goes out to all the victims of the Lekki shootings, and also the policemen and all other men and women who lost their lives in the past few days in different parts of Lagos & other states”.
Stephane Dujaric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary General said in a statement that “He condemns the violent escalation on 20 October in Lagos which resulted in multiple deaths and caused many injuries. He expresses his condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured…. He reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to support national efforts towards finding a solution.”
In a twist of events, during the protest a warehouse was found, at the Mazamaza community of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, hoarding tons of food which was supposed to have been distributed to the residents during the covid-19 national lockdown.
On the 22nd of October the president of the country Muhammadu Buhari made a nationwide speech to calm and end the protest. The speech was, however, accepted with mixed feelings as the president did not address the killing of the protesters #Lekkigenocide, nor did he address the hidden covid-19 palliatives found in the warehouses.
So far, Nigerians have had a lot of lives lost, a lot of properties vandalized, and a lot of voices forcefully silenced.
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