Social media get flooded with pictures and videos of last year’s #EndSARS protest, as many young Nigerians mark a one year anniversary of the protest that allegedly claimed the lives of over 20 youths at the Lekki toll gate.
On October 2020 last year, mainly Nigerian youths took to the streets of the country to protest and call to an end of a Government special anti-robbery squad (SARS) set up in 1984 to combat an epidemic of violent crime including robberies, carjackings and kidnappings in the country.
The protest which lasted for two weeks soon escalate to massive Nationwide protests as angry youths uses the avenue to also seek justice for victims of police brutality, Job opportunities and a total change in the Nigerian Government.
Lekki toll gate had the highest number of protesters where the Nigerian Army deployed to the scene allegedly shot at peaceful protesters.
At first, the Nigerian Army denied coming to Lekki toll gate, but after different videos surfaced online indicating the presence of the Army, they then agreed to that have been present but said there were no gunshots at the scene.
Other videos showed some young persons wrapped in blood and wounds. Some of the videos are being posted online in remembrance of the protest.
However, the Lagos State police command had warned against any form of protest stating that any of such could cause the “breakdown of law and order” in the country.
Some days ago the Vice president Yemi Osibanjo advised that other legitimate means should be used to mark the #EndSARS protest other than physical gathering considering the current security challenges in the country.
Kidnapping, banditry and robbery have been like the new norm in Nigerian society as there are numerous cases that have claimed the lives of security personnel and ordinary citizens.
