‘EndSARS memorial protests will go ahead,’ Sowore replies Lagos police
Demonstrators will march on October 20 to mark the anniversary of last year’s anti-police-brutality protests, activist publisher Omoyele Sowore says.
The ‘EndSARS’ protests were held to demand an end to the alleged crimes of the now-disbanded police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
On October 20, 2020, government forces allegedly opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, worsening the unrest and sparking widespread looting and insecurity.
As Nigerians welcomed Independence Day on October 1, activists began an online discussion to mark the first anniversary of the demonstration. The Lagos State Police Command, Monday, issued a statement warning organisers against bringing the rally to the streets again.
“To forestall breakdown of law and order, the police will use all legitimate means within their constitutional powers to suppress the planned protest,” state police spokesperson Adekunle Ajisebutu warned.
But Sowore, a vocal government critic, says the police threat will not deter demonstration.
“The police in Lagos across Nigeria, there will be EndSARS memorial protests and direct actions on October 20, 2021,” Sowore said in a social media post.
“Nobody can suppress the will of Nigerians to repudiate the mass atrocities of the (Muhammadu) Buhari regime on that day and beyond,” he insisted.
