The coalition of civil society organizations have called on well meaning Nigerians, security agencies to brace up to prevent any attempt by some unscrupulous elements and agents of evil hiding under EndSars protest anniversary to set lagos on fire as it was witnessed during 2020 EndSars protest in Lagos.
The protest which started legitimately blew across the country to agitate against impunity and lack of accountability in public office encapsulated in the activities of the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) but which at the end of the day left Lagos in a needless killing of civilians, security agents ,looting, destruction of public and private Properties in which Lagos state is the most hardest hit.
Some groups of youth have been calling to celebrate a year anniversary of the EndSars movement by staging a protest to commemorate it at different locations in Lagos State.
Meanwhile, coalition of notable civil society organizations at its press conference held on the 14th of October, 2021 in Ogba Lagos said in its statements ” when the EndSars protests kicked off in Lagos on the 8th of October 2020 at two major protest grounds of Alausa government house and lekki tollgate, it was largely peaceful and witnessed large turnout of disgruntled youths and citizens who were angry over government inability or failure to address repeated cries against the brutality and violation of citizens constitutionality guaranteed rights which in some cases resulted even in extral judicial killings of suspects by the disbanded notorious unit of the Nigeria police force.”
The protest which everyone adjudged legitimate at the initial stage had some top government functionaries being part of it across the federation took a dramatic turn when the protesters added blockade of roads and highways preventing other road users to their right to free movement among other deprivations.
“Sadly, all attempt to make the EndSars protesters see reason and embrace dialogue failed, even after the government acceded to the 5 of 5 demands of the protesters. Painfully, in some states, for example Osun and Lagos states Governors who went to the protest grounds to solidarize with the protesters, the Governor of Osun State escaped assassination as his convoy was attacked with stones, cutlass and other dangerous weapons. In Lagos State, the Governor Mr.Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu was attacked and assaulted both verbally and physically at the two major protest grounds of Alausa and Lekki tollgate on the 13th of October 2020.”
“From 12th October 2020, the EndSars protests in Lagos had assumed a threat to national security and peace with the attacks on the Nigeria police anti kidnapping unit station in Surulere, killing of two policemen and a civilian at the environment, destruction of private trucks on ikorodu road and the attacks and burning of the Constituency office of honorable Desmond Elliot of the Lagos State house of assembly and the attack and burning of the house of the RT. Honourable speaker Femi Gbajabiamila amongst several acts of violence.”
“Realizing that the police were incapable of maintaining law and order by the seeming lawlessness which had overtaken the state, the Lagos State government under the leadership of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu imposed a 24hour curfew on the state to arrest the drif to breakdown of law and order which was to commence at 4pm on the 20th of October, but due to public outcry that law abiding citizens may be caught outside their homes in traffic and other places due to the hurriedly and necessarily imposed curfew, the commencement time was shifted to 21: 00 hours. While Lagosians were rushing home from their various businesses, places of work, etc in order to comply with the declared curfew, some persons who had other interest than the sustenance of peace, law and order of the state continued to encourage EndSars protest to defy the curfew by their reactions to it.”
It said further” At about 6:45pm on the 20th of October 2020, while the protest ground at Alausa and other places had been deserted by protesters who complied with the imposition of a 24 hour curfew by the Lagos State government , the EndSars at Lekki tollgate remianed and were confronted by men in military gear bearing riffles and the results was a phantom massacre of EndSars protesters which attracted global outrage.”
However events later revealed that the whole world was taken for a ride as persons who were reported to have been shot and killed at the Lekki tollgate protest ground started resurfacing to disclaim their reported deaths.
The defend Lagos coalition comprising of key civil society organizations unequivocally stated ;
1. We recognize the inalienable rights of citizens to ventilate their grievances, but must admonish that it must be exercised within the ambit of the law and with recognition of the fact that, other persons right must not be infringed upon in the process.
2. Appeal to those planning to stage another anniversary protest to have a rethink in view of the likelihood of the forces of evil hijacking their protest again to unleash mayhem.
3. Call on the Nigeria police force to recognize the fundamental rights of citizens and urge it to exhibit proffessionalism in its efforts to protect the economic and human rights of Lagosians to move about without let or hindrance.
4. As law abiding citizens, we want it placed on record that our commitment to ensure that peace reigns in Lagos for the good of all is irrevocable.
The 20th of October 2021 will make it exact one year when the protesters were dispersed by the military after several failed overtures made by the government to dialogue with the them.
