The Day Nigerians will never forget.

 

October 20 may have been forgotten but not among Nigerian youths. For this marks exactly one year since the Government sent police and Army to kill innocent protesters at the lekki toll gate In Lagos state.

           Written by Andy

0ct. 20 protesters 

The right to protest is a constitutional right which is series to section 38 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria. 

Which are: (right to freedom of thoughts, & concise religion.) Section 39: (right to freedom of expression and press.) Section 40: ( right to freedom of peaceful assembly and gathering) Section 41: ( right to freedom of movement ) and Section 42: right to freedom of discrimination, all of which are tired to other fundamental rights in the 1999 constitution upheld by court of appeal.

Peaceful demostration by protesters 

The Nigerian youths will forever remember 0ctober 20 which marks the anniversary for the #ENDSARS Protest .

ENDSARS was a decentralized social movement which was calling for justice against Police brutality, the Slogan which purpose was to call on the government to disband the SPECIAL ANTI ROBBERY SQUAD.(SARS)

The protest slogan started in 2017 on Twitter with hash tag end SARS( #Endsars) later went viral in 0ctober 2020 after the abuse and harrassment from the special force unit became unbearable for Nigerians.

The SARS officers were said to have been involved in Kidnaping and extorting vehicles, money and other valuables from people using Iphones and laptops. 

Mostly from young males who have dreadlock and tattoo or with fashionable looks, they were also accused of mounting illegal checking points.

The protest took place all over the country Nigeria and other parts of the world  which many Celebrities like 2face, Davido, Mr Macaroni, Slikish, Pastor Nicodemus and lots more always came out take the front line in the excercise.  Lagos case was exceptional as the city remains the most busiest in Nigeria.

Lekki toll Gate which is the major route connecting Lekki Peninsula (Lagos Island which has more population of First class citizens residing in Lagos), through Victoria island to other parts of Lagos was shut down for days by Peaceful protesters.

Lekki toll gate

More view at the Toll gate promises.

The toll gate is also said to be one of Lagos states major source of revenue since it construction during the early 2000s by the governorship of Ahmed Tinibu.

It was noted that several times the government had always found one thing to do to the special force squad to make Nigerians feel they have been disband over the years but the problem continued and lives of many young Nigerians were lost due to sars brutality and October was the month to fight and never look back for Nigerian youths.

On The 20th of October 2020, Lagos state Governor,BABJIDE SANWO OLU declared a curfew to put and end to the Violence which has been going on in the state.

But protesters refused to vacate the toll gate with a preferred option to face the law if the government failed to address the SARS issue.

Few hours after the curfew, the army arrived the toll gate, where the protesters had gathered for days protesting for the Disbandment of the Deadly SARS,  according to report: "suddenly lights went off and shooting began.

Army personels 

The incident was reported to have taken many lives including (51 Civilians, 11, police men and 7 armies)

The government's decision to attack the protesters left Nigerians in wonder and the International community also condemned the action. Though lives were lost but the Government later banned SARS.

Money who witnessed the sad event has giving testimonies tracing that the experience was something one should never pray for. As many people cried for help but could not find any while lives were lost and bodies got severe injuries.

How ever, today marks a year since this incident happened and the Lagos state Police command Spokeperson  have addressed Lagosians/ Nigerians across the country to embrace peace as they Celebrate the #EndSARS anniversary.

As quoted in his words:      Lagosians and indeed Nigerians cannot afford to relive the distasteful experience of last year’s protest which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.

The commissioner of Police also had this to say ahead of the October 20th:

The Police should not re open old wounds by Harassing and molesting or intimidating any one who chooses to talk or commemorate  about the October 20th incident, it is the Duty of the police to protect and ensure peaceful Protest.

Happy #EndSars Anniversary 

Embrace peace as we Celebrate the the Legends that lost their lives in the fight for Justice👊