#ENDSARS – Violence dominates protest.

Following the attack on the END SARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate Lagos by suspected soldiers, Lagos state has now been thrown into a state of chaos. Hoodlums and angry protesters have taken to the streets to continue the protest which has now turned violent, resulting in the loss of lives and properties.

They are still shooting in lekki toll gate!!!!! pic.twitter.com/jQlvEuJ1Ee
— Free Spirit. (Uncle W) (@DimejiWilliams1) October 20, 2020

Speaking on the incident, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reinstated his commitment to ensuring that all patients get medical attention while working with the federal government to get to the root of the despicable act. He also blamed “forces beyond his direct control” for the attack on the protesters in the state, stating that there were no recorded fatalities in the Lekki shooting as against widespread social media reports to the contrary.

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Yesterday’s events were no doubt some of the darkest gradients of our history as a State and as a people. As you are aware, I have been engaging the #EndSARS protesters since the protests started. There are no excuses for the unfortunate incident that took place last night, and as the Governor, I apologize for every action and inaction. I would like you to know that I am for you, I am with you, and I understand that indeed you’re not happy with the turn of events last night. I want to once again, and passionately from the depth of my heart appeal to our teeming youths, to our protesters that you should please give peace a chance. There have been several reported cases of arson, and of destruction of properties this morning. We want to plead with parents, we want to appeal to guardians, I want to appeal to our citizens, especially our youths. I feel the pain, and I want to say once again that as your Governor, I will continue to ensure that every life does matter.

A post shared by Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) on Oct 21, 2020 at 5:02am PDT

The governor had earlier imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state, but regardless of this, social media is awash with gory images and videos of gun battles, looting and vandalization.

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The total breakdown of law and order by hoodlums who unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens and our dear state, prompted our decision to impose the 24 hour curfew. I identify wholeheartedly with the #endsars protesters, and made sure Lagos state created a habitable environment for them to air their grievances and complaints without intimidation. I immediately swung into action as soon as I was presented with their demands. Changes that could be made immediately were done. And the ones that required a process, were kickstarted. I watched keenly as humanity and love for one another thrive during the protests. A groundnut seller received life changing funds to grow her business, Jane got a prosthetic leg, people who lost their personal items got them back, new friendships were formed, protests grounds were tidied at the end of each day. Those actions made me proud and I was glad that Lagos state had set herself apart. However, it is sad to see what was meant to be a life changing, boundary breaking, swift decision making, and status quo changing movement turn into a total bedlam by people who do not know the reasons why the protests started in the first place. I watched these heartbreaking videos, and as Governor, history will not be kind to me if I fold my hands and allow arsonists, hoodlums, and anarchists hide under the guise of the #endsars protests to wreak havoc on the state, and put the lives of the very people I swore to protect in danger. Imposing this curfew was difficult, especially as we have just returned from a COVID19 required lockdown. This curfew will allow security officials to immediately restore order to the state, and arrest the miscreants that have disrupted the peaceful protests.

A post shared by Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) on Oct 20, 2020 at 9:29am PDT

The #EndSARS protest is a fight-back movement from Nigerian youths who have had enough of police brutality and empty promises from the government to address the excesses of the police.