By Chinelo Oogo
Young Nigerians trooped out in their numbers to join a procession which passed through Lekki toll gate to commemorate the End Sars protest of October 20, 2000 while demanding an end to police brutality.
Some of those who joined the procession carried flowers, stained Nigerian flags and mock coffins which they said symbolises protesters who were reported to have lost their lives after soldiers who were deployed to the toll gate allegedly opened fire.
But as the crowd increased the police fired tear gas to disperse protesters. A young man, Desmond Jacob, who claimed that he was among peaceful protesters that converged at the Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020, the day of the shooting that allegedly led to the loss of lives of peaceful protesters, was picked up by officers of the Nigeria Police Force but was later released. He was seen crying in front of the toll gate before police officers picked him up but after interrogation, he was released and asked to leave the toll gate.
Rapper, Folarin Falana, also known as falzthebahdguy was among those who came out to join the procession and said youths must continue to demand justice for the ones who gave their lives, while skit maker, Adebowale Adedayo, also known as Mr. Macaronii, said the government failed its duty to protect the people.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians reacted to the memorial on social media, with nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw saying: “We saw evil face to face. We also saw courage, resilience, determination. The lies may travel a hundred times around the track but the truth breasts the tape in the end. We remember. We will never forget.”
Actor, Alex Ekubo, said, : “Nigerian Government, we will never forget this day. We will return the favour. The Labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Lekki Toll plaza should be renamed Lekki Memorial Way and remain toll free. We paid in full with our blood,” while former presidential candidate of KOWA Party, Prof. Remi Sonaiya tweeted: “We remember today, in a special way, the victims of the EndSARS protests at the Lekki toll gate. Praying that the wounds will one day be healed by the balm of justice.”
Rights activist, Rinu Oduala said: “Shame on all of you who enabled this. Shame on all those who defend this. Shame on everyone involved in this. Shame on you if you support this,” while journalist, Wale Lawal said: “Today in 2020, the EndSARS protests ended with soldiers shooting and killing unarmed protesters. Young Nigerians have not forgotten. In 2023, they will take the protest to the polls. Today, also remember Pelumi Onifade, a 20-year-old journalist, who was arrested by the Lagos State Task Force in 2020 while on assignment a few days after the #EndSARS October 20 Shootings. He died in police custody.
“Onifade was a 200-level student of the Department of History at Tai Solarin University of Education in Ogun State. He was an intern with GboahTV and, during the #EndSARS protests, had recorded a viral video showing a Lagos politician shooting at unarmed protesters in Abule Egba. Please remember Onifade’s story and his courage whenever we talk about the state of journalism in Nigeria. There’s rarely a ‘crisis’ in Nigeria whose victims do not include journalists. Few journalists are protected, most are constantly under attack.
“The most revolutionary thing we can do, ‘is what we have done since the #EndSARS protests began: insist on our role as active witnesses. Of each other, of what we have suffered, the moments of joy, our courage and commitment, our belief, and our hope.’
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki said: “Today, we remember the events of 20.10.2020 and how they redefined this generation of Nigeria’s young people. We must never forget the peaceful protesters who demanded a better society for themselves and all those who will come after. As much as the EndSARS protests were about the negative actions of some members of the police force, it was also a cry for help.
“It was a message to the world that young Nigerians were tired of the insecurity, the high cost of living, and unemployment under the APC government. This is why, as we commemorate the events of October 2020 and remember those who paid the ultimate price with their lives, let us all use our PVCs on February 25th, 2023, to usher in new and responsive leadership.”