By Babs Oyetoro, Ben Ogbemudia, Cajetan Mmuta and Israel Joel
Protests yesterday rocked major cities during the commemoration of the first anniversary of the EndSARS demonstrations across the country, which got to the climax with the alleged killing of some protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos on October 20, 2020.
From some areas in Lagos to Benin City in Edo State and Osogbo (Osun State), Jos (Plateau State), and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, among other states, protesters had come out in their numbers to mark the first anniversary of the EndSARS.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a widely acknowledged branch of the Nigeria Police Force under the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) came into the eye of the local and international storm in October 2020 over alleged terrible acts of human brutality.
The October 2020 #EndSARS protest against police brutality was hijacked leaving horrifying trails in many parts of the country.
In Lagos yesterday, some protesters defied the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu‘s warning that he would not allow any form of protests today.
Despite the contingent of policemen stationed at the tollgate, protesters came out in their cars, SUVs, jeeps, and buses, holding the country’s small flags and shouting “EndSARS” as they drove peacefully.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, was sighted in one of the buses around the tollgate axis of Ojota.
There were reports that some persons were arrested and hurriedly taken away in a standby Black Maria by policemen.
In the Lekki axis of Lagos, an Uber driver, identified as Clement Adedotun, was alleged to have been brutally assaulted by both Police and Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) operatives.
ThisNigeria learnt that the Adedotun was wounded with blood on his face and arm. While being forcefully taken away, Adedotun, who had his phone and a car key, cried out against the use of force on him. It was learnt that the security agents tried to force him into a Black Maria but he refused, insisting he did nothing wrong.
“Please sir, I don’t want to enter this thing. My family members have not entered it before. I didn’t cause trouble. I’m an Uber driver, they seized my car. I did not do anything,” Adedotun yelled.
As two men continued to manhandle the injured man, people around begged them to stop the assault.
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It was later learnt that the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, ordered the release of some arrested persons when he visited the Lekki axis, but it was not clear if Adedotun was among those released.
Fierce combat policemen were stationed at strategic places in Lagos such as Ojota toll gate, Lekki toll plazas, and other parts of the metropolis to avert the breakdown of law and order.
Also in Abuja, protesters besieged the Unity Fountain. Some of the known faces included human rights activists Deji Adeyanju, and Omoyele Sowore, among others.
It was learnt that after a successful street protest in Abuja this morning, pockets of youths clashed as another youth group seemed to have emerged to counter Sowore’s led protest group.
ThisNigeria learnt that the Sowore group was still at the Unity Fountain, when another youth group emerged. It could not be confirmed who their sponsors were, but an eyewitness, Mike Ojugo, said they chased out the Sowore group and others from the Unity Fountain.
Ojugbo said: “The youths belong to a group known as Nigerian Emerging Leaders and they numbered over 100 and they have chased Sowore Omoyele, Adeyanju Deji, and their group out of the Unity Fountain.”
The protest in Benin City, Edo State was not different as hundreds of youths gathered at the Oba Ovonramwen Square popularly called Ring Road to mark the first anniversary of EndSARS.
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The protesters demanded automatic employment for victims of the protest in the state and the implementation of the judicial panel report was set up by the state government. They also requested that all those still in detention because of the protest should be released unconditionally.
Security personnel drawn from the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and members of local vigilante were on the ground to ensure peace while members of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) controlled traffic until the end of the peaceful march.
It was a pitiable sight when two of the victims, a fashion designer, Miracle Ailenokhoriah, who has been bedridden due to a gunshot to his right thigh, and Stephen Asekhame whose left leg was amputated because of the gunshot from soldiers in Auchi, were spotted among the protesters.
Asekhame who is from Uhunmora said: “During the protest last year on the 19th of October 2020, we in Auchi decided to hold our peaceful protest, on that day and during the protest, soldiers ran into us and I was hit by a bullet that led to the amputation of my left leg. I was a student then but now I am a graduate, and I am supposed to go for service next Sunday.
“I presented my case before the panel through my lawyer but till now, we have not heard anything from the panel.”
On his part, Ailenokhoriah, who was accompanied by his mother, said they were protesting in the Market Square in Ekpoma when policeman he identified as Sergeant Ade shot him. “And then himself and other policemen with him started beating me and they said if I die, I will be buried behind the police station. I was later sent to the hospital where I spent three months. Now we have resorted to traditional treatment, but since then I have not been able to stand up,” he said.
Corroborating him, his mother, Betty Odiagbe, said they also wrote a petition and appeared before the panel, but nothing has come out of it.
She lamented that she has spent all her resources trying to take care of her son and that has made it impossible for her to pay the school fees of her children.
One of the organisers of the memorial rally, Kola Edokpayi said: “I want the state government to implement the recommendations of the panel and the federal government should make 20th of October every year a public holiday to commemorate the EndSARS protest and give respect to the fallen heroes.
Meanwhile, a Civil Society Organisation under the auspices of Action Group on Free Civic Space, has called on the Federal Government to bring to book all erring security officers indicted at the various Judiciary Commission of Inquiry on the EndSARS movement.
The group comprises Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Spaces for Change, Youth and Environment Advocacy Centre, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy, World Impact Development Foundation (WIDAF), and Entrepreneurship Initiative for African Youths.
Mr Rafiu Adeniran Lawal of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation and Mr Godwin Kingsley of WIDEF on behalf of the group, made the call at a news conference yesterday in Abuja.
The group recalled that in 2020, there was an eruption of one of the most powerful mass movements in the history of the country known as the EndSARS Movement.
In Osogbo, policemen fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. It was learnt that a journalist identified as, Sikiru Obarayese, was arrested for his presence at the EndSARS protest venue. Obarayese is to be charged to court despite identifying himself.
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However, the state Police Commissioner, Wale Olokode, said he was aware of the arrest and has directed the withdrawal of the case. Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said efforts were on to free the reporter.
She, however, expressed disappointment that Sikiru refused to leave the scene when police ordered everyone to leave. But Obarayese was covering the EndSARS protest in the state when he was arrested. The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osun State has condemned the development.
In Jos, capital of Plateau State, some youths staged peaceful protests to commemorate the anniversary.
The peaceful event held for almost one hour before armed security personnel stormed the venue and asked them to leave, saying the gathering was illegal.
Our correspondent reported that the youths numbering 30 converged on the National Museum at about 6:30 pm to kick start the solemn event.
The event was climax with candlelight as a sign of respect to the fallen heroes.
*United States: Implement panel reports
The United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria in a tweet yesterday recalled that “today is a day to reflect on the loss of life and property during last year’s #ENDSARS protests.”
It stated that the work of the panel was a good move but added that it was awaiting full compensation for all victims of police abuses.
“We appreciate the work done by the various judicial panels and look forward to the implementation of recommendations and compensation to victims of police brutality,” it tweeted.
It further stated that it supported ongoing police reform efforts in the country. “We encourage those who demonstrated for change to engage politically to achieve it,” it added.
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Recall that Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had in February 2021, told the United Nations Human Rights Council that Nigeria was committed to fulfilling the demands of the protesters.
Part of their demands was the prosecution of erring officers.
