EndSARS: One Year After, Nigerian Youths Weep Over Lekki Massacre, Mourn ‘Fallen Heroes’

Nigerians were in mourning on this day (October 20) in 2020, following the alleged killing of EndSARS demonstrators at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State by the Nigerian Army and other security personnel.

Remember that the EndSARS protest was sparked by extrajudicial killings committed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a Nigerian Police Force unit established in late 1992 to combat robbery, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and firearms offenses.

Some SARS officers, on the other hand, are accused of deviating from their legitimate mission to unlawfully humiliate, brutalize, and kill innocent Nigerian teenagers, making life somewhat difficult for them, since some are afraid to walk freely on the streets. The majority of the time, kids were profiled based on what they wore and drove.

Following the death of a student purportedly killed by a SARS operative in late September 2020, the development enraged and prompted some youngsters to conduct a demonstration in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The protests expanded across the country, impacting the Nigerian economy as various economic operations came to a standstill in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, as well as all other states.

Despite efforts by the then-Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who disbanded the SARS on October 11, 2020, in an attempt to resolve the issues, DAILY POST remembers that the protests continued as the goal evolved towards erasing the country’s “poor governance.”

The peaceful march, which drew international notice, was, however, hijacked by hoodlums who repeatedly invaded the protest site to inflict terror on the teenagers, resulting in the deaths of numerous protestors.

Despite warnings and advise from state and federal administrations, as well as security authorities, the outraged youths, who bemoaned high unemployment, poor educational management, and general misery brought on by alleged weak governance, refused to give up.

During the hijacking demonstration, hoodlums reportedly damaged over 200 police stations and formations, as well as other key private and public infrastructure across the country, according to sources.

In the states of Lagos, Oyo, Anambra, Benue, Abia, Ogun, and Ebonyi, police officers were killed. With six slain cops each, Lagos and Oyo states led the way, followed by Anambra State Police Command with four, Abia and Ebonyi with two each, and Ogun with one.

Some prisons were attacked during the demonstration, resulting in the release of several inmates who later joined the hoodlums in their efforts to destroy government structures across the country.

The demonstrators gathered at the Lekki Tollgate on October 20, where the Nigerian Army allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing many Nigerian teenagers.

Despite media reports and investigations, the Nigerian government has vehemently denied that the incident resulted in a large number of deaths, claiming that the reports were false.

According to reports, at least 99 individuals were killed in Lagos during the #EndSARS demonstration, and their bodies were transferred in a state mortuary.

In an interview with DAILY POST, Ajeh Jennifer, an Abuja-based social media influencer, expressed disgust with the Federal Government’s handling of the situation, emphasizing that the right to life is not guaranteed in Nigeria.

“I still weep whenever I remember that night when the Nigerian Army opened fire on those representing us to demand good governance for the country.

“It is more disappointing to remember that the killers are still moving freely in the society without any questions from the authorities. Those saddled with the responsibility of protecting our lives are now the ones taking the lives they were meant to protect. Everything in Nigeria needs to be reformed”, she added.

Similarly, a newscaster in a popular radio station in the nation’s capital, Mr Caleb told our correspondent that the memory of EndSARS will forever remain with Nigerians.

Mr. Caleb agitated for inclusion of the incident in Nigerian history book, stating that “posterity must be taught that some youths were killed in Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020 while they were demanding for their rights.

“I was actually one of the protesters here in Abuja before it was hijacked by sponsored terrorists. The education ministry has to add the incidents to school curriculum because posterity must be taught that some youths were killed in Lekki Tollgate on October 20 2020 while they were demanding for their rights.

“My heart is still with those heroes who lost their lives not just at the Lekki Tollgate but through the protests. May their souls continue to find rest with God”, he said.

A corps member serving in Kano State, who simply identified herself as Ene, told DAILY POST that she lost a friend during the hijacked protest in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. She expressed readiness to join the planned remembrance protest organized by some activists across the country.

“I can’t forget October 17 last year when those terrorists hired by the government stabbed my friend to death in Abuja during the EndSARS protests. He was supposed to be among us that were mobilized recently for the NYSC one year compulsory service. They ended his life just like that and nothing was done about it.

“I heard that there is going to be a remembrance protest on Wednesday (today) . I don’t know if it will happen here but I’m ready to join. They should come and finish us”.

DAILY POST reports that some activists including the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore had vowed to shun security advice and stage protests across the country in memory of those allegedly killed by the Nigerian army at Lekki Tollgate.

However, speaking with DAILY POST, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA advised the Nigerian youths to shun violence.

He said, “Nigerian youths should stay out of trouble, avoid violence, but should speak out in defence of their fundamental human rights as active citizens of Nigeria.

“HURIWA is urging the youths not to get involved in crimes but to meaningfully embrace pursuit of knowledge, education and capacity building and expose all acts of human rights violations unleashed on citizens by law enforcement officials and to demand redress. The youths should mobilise to join forces in political camps to take over power democratically in 2023.”

DAILY POST observes that despite the outcries from Nigerians, police brutality has continued in many parts of the country as officers continue to assault unsuspecting citizens.

About two months ago, a video emerged on social media revealing a police officer engaging a young lady in an altercation and physically assaulting her while on duty at a checkpoint in Obeagu Awkunanaw, along Agbani Road, in the State.

Reacting to the video, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu on September 11, said the Command would not entertain such acts of “unprofessionalism by personnel under his watch”.

Similar incidents have continued to occur relatively on a daily basis as police operatives were accused of been responsible for the sudden disappearance of some persons.