#ENDSARS : WHICH WAY NIGERIA?
Greetings Great citizens of
Nigeria.
Today, I write this post with
tears flowing down my cheek and so much pain in my heart, in fact my heart is
broken. For the past 24 hours, I have shed tears uncontrollably for the
ongoings in my beloved country Nigeria.
I recall that I celebrated my
Nigeria, being you and I, not the government and I told you that I am hopeful for a reformed Nigeria. Not long after that, precisely on the 9th
of October, what started as a mere hashtag on social media birthed a peaceful
protest by youths all across major states in the Federation.
Initially, they started by apprehending young people on dreads or coloured hair, with expensive gadgets, driving expensive cars, or just mere looking good. These were enough reason for them to accuse you of being a fraud(yahoo person), take you into custody, beat you up, extort you, force you to accept the false accusation and in most cases, kill you and dispose your body.
On March 31, 2019, KOLADE
JOHNSON a father of one was killed just because he went to watch live match.
TINA EZEKWE, 16 year old was
shot by a drunken SARS, because her bus driver refused to path with N100 bribe
on May 26, 2020
On August 9, 2020, AYOMIDE
TAIWO, a 20 year old fashion designer was hit with the butt of the gun because
he only gave the officer 50 Naira when he had more money. He fell off the
motorbike and began to bleed, entered coma and died 6 days later.
IFEOMA ABUGU 20 year old
graduate on September 10, 2020 was picked up by three SARS officer in her
fiancee’s residence. She was taken to their station, where she was sexually
assaulted and later killed.
These are just a handful of the
lives the have untimely and arrogantly snuffed out of our youths by these shabbily
dressed fully armed men, the list is endless. Listening to the personal experience of those who have survived the encounter with SARS or tales from bereaved families could make you loose your sleep for weeks.
Two days after the protest
began, the Inspector General of Police, came up with a 5 point agenda in which
he stated that SARS had been dissolved and the Nigerian Police Force was set
for a reformation. He also announced the replacement of SARS with SWAT, Special
Weapons and Tactics team.
This agenda was rejected by the
Nigerian youths on the grounds that it was a replica of previous unfulfilled
promises. Nigerian youths also came up with their 5 demands from the government
which they called #5for5#. Let me also add that the families of the innocent victims of SARS were neither compensated nor granted justice and this was part of what grieved the hearts of the Nigerian youths. At this point the protest moved further to end police brutality and bad governance.
To the amazement of many, including the international community and Nigerians in diaspora, the protest
which was backed by lots of Nigerian celebrities and Media Influencers, promoted
unity and oneness for the first time in the history of our country. The
unrelenting protesters received support from well meaning Nigerians, many
organisations and institutions supported the protesters by supplying them with
food and other essentials.
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Aisha Yesufu, a strong voice during the protest |
During the protest, we saw citizens looking out for each other and supporting one another irrespective of tribe and religion. The Nigeria of our dream was on display before our very eyes. Christian watching over the Muslims while they prayed and vice versa. Male protesters taking turns to protect female protesters and ensure their safety. Citizens volunteered to clean up the environment after eating together and respectfully. I was overwhelmed with pride that it was my Nigerians that were showing the world who they truly are.
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Christians and Muslims uniting |
Although, there was intense
traffic situation in several parts of Lagos and other major cities as a result of the protest, it was
a peaceful one and Nigerians accepted the inconvenience hoping the aim to getting
government’s attention would not be defeated.
I shamefully acknowledge that Nigerians in other countries also organised peaceful protests and were protected by the Police there, what our own country couldn't do for us.
Unfortunately, those at the top were not happy with this and sought every possible way to bring it to a halt. On several occasions, thugs and hoodlums were paid to hijack the protest, causing mayhem, burning police stations, and destroying properties of citizens in the protest. Protesters were obstructed with the use of teargas by police men in some areas, some even went as far as pouring water on them from water tankers but they were determined and refused to back down.
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Protesters being attacked with water |
So
devastating was this that by the 11th day of the protest, the military
was unleashed on peaceful protest which is against the constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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A resilient youth standing in amidst teargas |
On this day, 20-10-2020, the
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared a curfew from 4pm, like his Edo State
counterpart, though it was later extended to 9pm. Many protesters who had made
the Lekki toll gate their home since the protest commenced remained at the
protest ground peacefully when suddenly the lights were turned off and cameras were disconnected. If only Nigerians knew what would follow!
By evening there was sporadic shooting at the protesters by men identified as the military. Note that these protesters were unarmed, peaceful, sitting on the floor and waving the Nigerian flag. There was absolutely no reason for them to be shot at but then, about 15 of them, (at the time of this post) received bullet wounds some of whom died in the process.
To worsen the situation, the
military barricaded them, obstructing medical personnel from attending to
them and even carted away the corpse of some shot protesters. Pictures of the Nigerian flag designed with the blood of innocent youths
who were only asking for the rights have plastered the internet at the moment.
I am doing this particular post
for posterity. I refuse to be silent in a time like this when the younger
generation are suffering for the silence of the older generation. Like the one
of the slogans of this protest, I have decided to “Soro soke” which means to
speak up! Let it be on record that my voice was heard irrespective of how heavy my heart is because of how much blood has covered the face of the country
once referred to as the Giant of Africa.
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Mothers were not left out. |
Do I still have hope? Yes, because I am still alive and for the sake of our fallen comrades, I cannot give up or loose hope else their death becomes in vain.
I therefore beseech you to lend your voice, support this course for a reformed Nigeria in every way possible. How? Pray for God’s intervention. Don’t be silent, lend your voice, keep speaking up against bad governance. Online protests is intensely ongoing, don't be left out. We hope to return to the field when the curfew is lifted.
Any petition shared for the purpose of
justice, don’t hesitate to add your signature. Make sure you get your voters’
card in preparation for the next election and
ensure you cast your vote for the right person. Discourage every form of
violence, we will not tow the line of callousness besides we value human lives.
We deserve better as a nation, we have suffered for too long in the hands of leaders who have no regard for God or man.
Please do well to drop a word of prayer of prayer for Nigeria as we mourn the death of our heroes.
I leave you with these words,
the battle is not over! Nigerians, we are resilient and dogged. I love you all
and I am proudly rooting for you as we look forward to a reformed nation.
#staysafe#
#staypositive#
#stayfocused#
© Onyinye Udeh
It's indeed sad and disheartening ππππππ. When will the new Nigeria spring forth? At the moment, I fear for my life, my loved ones and for every Nigerian out there.πππππππππππππππ
ReplyDeleteDespite the devastation, we refuse to loose hope.
DeleteA timely and Credible piece. I believe it will be a sin to give up at this point. I also witnessed the strong unity during the protest. We cannot afford to give up. We keep striving. God help us all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your supportive words.
DeleteNo we can't give up now!
We are all we have, and we will make Nigeria proudπ³π¬. Thank you for lending your voice to this course.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Seme. We will not give up on this fight!
DeleteThe hope for a new Nigeria may look so bleak but one thing is sure, it may tarry but it shall surely come, we can't afford to give up on us.
ReplyDeleteTory-Teller I see you attain great heights, keep it up, so proud of you.
Thank you for lending your voice. We can't give up now, we'll keep hope alive!
DeleteWowowow...
ReplyDeleteThis explains exactly relationship all African leaders have in common. It's about the protests that government will kill it's citizens before they address ussues affecting them.
Thanks for speaking out Nigerians
And for that reason we refuse to be silent.
DeleteWe are still hopeful that Africa will witness a change in our time, one country after another.
Thank you for stopping by dear Casa.