Despite the directives of the Lagos state police force, warning against any form of protest in the state, campaigners of the #EndSARS agitation, seemed not to be bothered with the order, as the ‘programme of events’, to mark the one year anniversary, of those who lost their lives at the Lekki toll gate, is out on social media.
From the flyers displayed on social media, the event will start with a Jumat service, on October 15, at the Jumaat Suadr Central Mosque, Ojota, Lagos; followed by traditional rites on October 16, at the New Afrika Shrine, Agidingbi, Lagos; and then a church service, on October 17, at Lagos Christian Centre, Oregun, Lagos.
Organizers of the #EndSARS campaigner, undermining the police issued statement, said, the police force, do not have the right to stop a peaceful protest. Rinu Oduala, one of the leaders of #EndSARS, who also is a social media influencer, on her Twitter handle on Wednesday, said, the Lagos police force have no right to stop a peaceful protest; adding that, “the youth are not scared of the guns and weapons wielded by officers.”
The Lagos Police boss, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has however, warned protesters to desist from carrying out the scheduled protest to avoid the disruption of the ‘peace and serenity’ enjoyed in the state; and also ‘to forestall the breakdown of law and order.’
Odumosu promised that, ‘the police will use all legitimate means, within their constitutional powers, to suppress the planned protest.’
The one year ‘Memorial Protest’ is expected to hold in major cities like Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Abuja.
While the Lagos event will culminate at the Lekki tollgate, on October 20, the Ibadan event will hold at Owo road and Ojoo roundabout respectively. The two other states venue of the #EndSARS event, and modalities, yet to be known.
According to the organizers, the chosen dress code for the day is ‘black’, ‘black t-shirt.’
History have it that, in the year 2020, in the month of October, Lagosians (Nigerians) embarked on a peaceful protest against police brutality across the nation.
On October 20, 2020, while demonstrators gathered at the Lekki toll gate, the meeting ground of the protest, sounds of gunshots at the venue, disrupted the peaceful gathering, which led to the death of some the protesters.