EndSars was an unplanned protests that shook the world last year, around the month of October. It was even termed a ‘child of circumstance’ as some observers would suggest.
It left a deep and phenomenal impression on me about the pitiable state of lawlessness Nigeria had become and the shocking steeply decline the country was headed, into the abyss of reckless and distasteful new normal called ‘State-sponsore
d terrorism’.
In this case the Nigerian youths were the prime targets of these agents of deaths, housed in different government offices and other state agencies.
Amidst all the grueling episode of wide scale national trauma and loss of human lives EndSars recorded it, also bore record to a rare glimpse of hope it unearthed. This speaks loudly to the unquenchable power which resides in the collective will of the people to demand for a better life from the government and the inalienable rights to also hold them accountable, depending on how willing they are prepared to join forces with others to follow through.
The sporadic and unprecedented manner with which the wave of the protest swept through the entire country was undoubtedly a manifestation of years of ceaseless long sufferings, harassment, intimidation and murder the youths had had to grapple with in the hands of the Nigerian Police Force, widely renowned for Brutality, unprofessional conduct and murder.
Under the Flagship of EndSars, the Nigerian youths in their hundreds and thousands, much later as the movement gained more traction and global attention, in their millions, would have none of such nonsense.
EndSars was a huge success!! It compelled the Federal Government of Nigeria to pause, think, reflect, then act accordingly.
I strongly would agree, as suggested by millions of other youths, that Nigeria’s time of redemption draws nearer, given the unprecedented wave of EndSars Movement across Nigeria last year, leaving a lasting mental revolution and civil reawakening in its wake?
Alas, at the twilight of the two-weeks noble protest, sponsored elements identified as hoodlums were ferried into the scene by the government, paid to infiltrate the ranks of the peaceful protesters by attacking them, in order to create an elaborate excuse for the public to discredit them.
What happened thereafter?
Much later, this same thugs, having weighed their options, went for bigger stakes as they unleashed untold mayhem on pubic and private assets, seizing the ensuing chaos to help themselves to a bumper harvests by also targeting priced booties, leaving Lagos pitifully ravaged, ransacked, looted, torched and miserably traumatized.
Lights went off and the Lekki toll plazas and something preparing the ground for the next actors to step in.
Alas, Nigerian soldiers in thier tens were deployed into the scenes, shelling through the crowd with their fire arms and leaving many unarmed youths killed, with many permanently wounded while they brutally desecrated Nigeria’s symbols of unity and pride, the national flags despite repeated attempts by the distressed youths who has thought waving it would deter their killers, unknown soldiers, on the orders of Governor Sanwoolu.
At first, Sanwoolu tried to deny his involvement by distancing himself from rumors that he had invited the military, not until his shameful lies were blown open during the tribunal sitting by General Taiwo.
We will never forget.
May the souls of our deserted heroes and heroines continue to rest in peace. Amen.