“There is so much injustice in this country, the police are under-paid and have not learnt any lesson from #EndSARS….” These were the last words of , yesterday, while speaking with journalists at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos before officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) swarmed on him, removed his cap and whisked him away into a waiting Black Maria.
More youths were, yesterday, arrested by the police for daring to observe a memorial of last year’s long-drawn protests, which turned on its head on October 20. Over 300 #EndSARS protesters currently await freedom from several correctional centres one year after.
Among those arrested were a Canadian-based protester, Patriot Patrick Eholor, a journalist attached to Legit TV, Bisola Alawode, and a man clad in white and bearing an #EndSARS banner. Alawode said he had misplaced his identity card but had his driver’s license in his car parked nearby. He said the officers hit him after they dragged him by his belt into their parked van.
Also, a PM News reporter, Taiwo Okanlawon, covering the memorial was beaten and harassed by policemen. The policemen had fired teargas at protesters, causing pandemonium. The reporter was doing his job when the police suddenly descended on him.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said the journalist was arrested because he had no means of identification despite his claims.
He added the arrested journalist was immediately released when his colleagues showed up to identify him as a member of their crew.
The protest in honour of victims shot last year began with a long convoy of vehicles around 9:00a.m. and was led by popular hip-hop musician, Folarin Falana, aka Falz, and Debo Adebayo, also known as Mr. Macaroni.
They drove through the Lekki tollgate, epicentre of the campaign last year, with Nigerian flags in their hands as they echoed in unison “we will never forget.”
In Abuja, a protest to mark the first anniversary of the epic #EndSARS movement also held yesterday. Hundreds of protesters bearing placards had stormed the Unity Fountain, Central Area, Abuja and other areas.
The protest was led by human rights lawyers, Pelumi Olajengbesi and Marshall Abubakar; activists, Omoyele Sowore and Deji Adeyanju. They were all dressed in black and chanted solidarity songs before embarking on a march to the National Assembly.
They were, however, stopped by armed security men who mounted barricade at the Ministry of Justice. This led to a face-off between the protesters and policemen on ground.
The angry protesters demanded to speak with the Speaker of the House of Representatives. They, however, returned when they were assured the Speaker would show up. He did not address them till the protest ended.
Sowore said the #EndSARS protests last year was a metaphor that Nigerians were tired of happenings in the country. “We are tired of bad leadership, it is not just about the brutality of the police force. The 2020 protest was the first leg as youths came out to protest against the oppressive regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
One year after, over 20 police stations and outposts, which were burnt by hoodlums, who hijacked the #EndSARS protests in different parts of Lagos are yet to be refurbished by the government and police high command.
Some of the burnt police stations, which are yet to be rebuilt include: Orile, Igando, Okoko, Ijora-Badia, Agbara, Merian, Cement, Amukoko, Layeni, Ilasamaja, Cele outpost under Ijesha division, Ikotun, Ajah, Elemoro, Ebute-Ero, Onipanu, Pen Cinema, Makinde, Isokoko, Alade, Igbo-Elerin, Shibiri, Gbagada, Onilekere, Charly Boy Police post, Ojodu, Surulere, Makoko, Idimu, Denton, Ilemba-Hausa, Olosan, Aiyelegun police out post under Ejigbo division, Daleko police post.
The Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and operatives of these divisions are still working under the canopy and makeshift sheds. Sources said this has affected police output and psychology in the metropolis in recent times.
One year after the Lekki shooting, the Federal Government, yesterday, still claimed the incident was nothing but a “Phantom Massacre.” Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke on the first anniversary of #EndSARS protests, described it as the first massacre in the world without blood or bodies.
He expressed concern that despite ample opportunities for families of those allegedly killed and those alleging a massacre to present evidence, there has been none.
“No bodies, no families, no convincing evidence, nothing. Where are the families of those who were reportedly killed at the tollgate? Did they show up at the Judicial Panel of Inquiry? If not, why?
“Sadly, the champions of a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including Amnesty International and CNN, have continued to shamelessly hold on to their unproven stand,” the Minister said.
THE United States Mission to Nigeria in its reaction to the #EndSARS memorial protests, advised protesters to take a political approach to addressing their demands. The Mission disclosed this on its verified Facebook handle yesterday.
“Today is a day to reflect on the loss of life and property during last year’s #EndSARS protests. We appreciate the work done by the various judicial panels and look forward to the implementation of recommendations and compensation to victims of police brutality. We support ongoing police reform efforts. We encourage those who demonstrated for change to engage politically to achieve it,” the post read.
