#EndSARS: Tension in Nigeria as youths plan mega anniversary

…Armoured tanks, policemen deployed to Lekki-Toll Gate

…Police across Nigeria to join ranks to confront youths

…CP, area commanders, DPO, squadron commanders on red alert

Juliana Francis

A razor blade tension has enveloped different parts of Nigeria as news filtered out that some Nigerian youths, who last year organised the largest protest in the country against the police tagged #EndSARS, have begun preparations to mark the anniversary of the protesters killed.

It was further heard that the plan to mark the anniversary has been on for weeks now. Already, the youths have hired at least over 10 photographers to cover the anniversary. They are also going to make use of drone cameras to capture the event.

The financiers of the forthcoming memorial are said to be based overseas and had paid people that will supply drinks and foods.

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, took to his tweeter handle to state that the planned memorial protest for #EndSARS victims will hold on October 20, 2021, despite threats by security forces to stop it.  He warned the police against suppressing the will of Nigerians to repudiate the mass atrocities of the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

The #EndSARS protests began on October 3, 2020, after Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), allegedly shot a youth at Wetland Hotel in Ughelli, Delta State, causing him bodily injury. However, the anniversary, according to information gathered by our reporter, will be held on October 20, at the Lekki Toll Gate.

On that fateful date last year, masked soldiers were alleged to have opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate. There had been allegations that the soldiers killed some of the protesters and carted away the corpses.

The incident became a watershed moment, leading to killings of policemen, burning of police stations in different parts of Nigeria and destructions of private and public property. Aside from gathering at the Lekki toll gate, another venue in Lagos will be Ojota. Other venues in other states are yet unknown.

It also gathered that the youths had been making moves to different campuses in Nigeria, lobbying students to join in marking and making the anniversary memorable.

The convener of the #EndSARS protests in Delta State, Israel Joe, mentioned that the memorial procession would depend on whether the Delta State Government would implement the judicial panel report or not.

He added: “The governor had told us that the report was before the Exco and we want the implementation process to commence before October 20^th.  We have been getting several calls from both families and victims of Police brutality for which compensations were awarded. We will make our stance known before the weekend after all due consultations with stakeholders, #EndSARS committee, and others.”

Our reporter learnt that personnel of the Nigerian Force across the country have also concluded plans to join ranks in order to confront the youths, if they refused to heed the order to jettison such gatherings.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, for some days now, has positioned several Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), Mobile Police Men, Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RSS) and conventional policemen at the Lekki Toll Gate.

The tension in Lagos has continued to mount as the date of the anniversary draws nearer. It is also believed in some quarters that no matter how peaceful the youths believed it will be may end up being hijacked by hoodlums.

Yesterday, Odumosu issued a terse warning to the youths, having received intelligence report about the forthcoming anniversary. He was, however, referring to Monday supposed protest, which was the date, the protest started last year. The youths, however, have another plan and date in mind.

According to him, credible intelligence at his disposal has revealed plans by some youths, individuals or groups to embark on protest today (Monday) in commemoration of one year anniversary of #EndSARS.

He said that Lagosians and indeed Nigerians couldn’t afford to relive the distasteful experience of last year protest which caused pain, anguish, loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property. 

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adekunle Ajisebutu, said: “In view of the volatility of the present situations in the country, and the breakdown of law and order which the planned protest might cause, the Command sternly warns against any form of protest today (Monday). The Command wishes to use this medium to warn the youths, groups, or associations planning such protest to jettison the idea forthwith. The police in the state will not fold its arms and allow some misguided elements disrupt the peace and serenity currently being enjoyed in the state. To forestall breakdown of law and order, the police will use all legitimate means within their constitutional powers to suppress the planned protest. Therefore, parents and guardians are advised to warn their children against participating in the planned protest. Individuals or groups sponsoring such protest are also warned in their own interest to desist from such unpatriotic plan or face the full weight or wrath of the law.”

Likewise, the police in Osun State have called on youths and groups to desist from a planned protest in commemoration of the one-year anniversary.

The Osun State PPRO, Yemisi Opalola, explained that intelligence reports gathered have revealed that some youths had been having underground and nocturnal meetings to embark on the commemoration of the one-year anniversary.

Opalola said: “In view of this, the CP, Olawale Olokode, warned individuals or groups of individuals that are planning such in the state and their sponsors to stop the plan. The Command will not allow a repeat of last year’s #EndSARS saga and is fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such intending protest. Consequently, the Police Command will not tolerate any unlawful protest and gathering or assembly that will jeopardise the peace of the state.”

Opalola said that the Commissioner of Police has given marching orders to the Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and Tactical units to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.  It was said that CPs, area commanders, DPOs, Squadron commanders in different states have been placed on red alert by the police hierarchy.