10/20/2020

On the night of October 20th, 2020, a group of Nigerians had gathered at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos to protest against police brutality and demand justice for the victims of the infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit. The SARS unit was known for its widespread abuse of power, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and extortion of citizens. Many Nigerians had taken to the streets to demand an end to this notorious police unit.

The #EndSARS protest had been ongoing for over two weeks before the tragic events of that night. The movement had gained widespread support both within Nigeria and internationally, with celebrities, activists, and politicians using their platforms to bring attention to the issue. The protests had started as a peaceful demonstration against police brutality but had grown in momentum and scope, with demands for an end to corruption and bad governance in Nigeria.

The protest had become a platform for Nigerians to voice their frustrations with a system that they felt had failed them. Many young Nigerians had taken to the streets to demand a better future for themselves and their country. They were tired of living in a society plagued by corruption, poverty, and violence.

I woke up on that fateful day with a boiling anger that had been building up within me for years. I was tired of the rampant corruption and police brutality in Nigeria, especially the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit that had been tormenting innocent citizens for too long. So, I decided to join the #EndSARS protest at the Lekki toll gate, hoping that my voice would be heard, and change would finally come.

As I joined the crowds of passionate young people, I felt a sense of solidarity and hope that I had not experienced in a long time. The energy was infectious, and we all chanted slogans, sang songs, and waved our flags, demanding an end to police brutality and corruption in our beloved country.

But then, as if in a flash, the lights went off, and everything went dark. We heard the sound of gunshots in the distance, and panic started to set in. Then, all of a sudden, the military came charging in, firing live rounds into the air, and at us, the peaceful protesters.

I could feel my heart racing, and my legs became weak with fear as I tried to run for cover. The sound of the bullets ringing in my ears, the smell of gunpowder, and the screams of fellow protesters filled the air. I saw people falling all around me, some fatally wounded, and others struggling to get back up.

In that moment, I realized that my life was in danger, and I prayed for a miracle to save me. I could not believe that the government of my country would turn against its own citizens, its own future, in such a brutal and callous manner.

After the shooting, the Nigerian government initially denied that any deaths occurred and described the reports as "fake news." However, the international media, including CNN, covered the event, with some videos and pictures showing that soldiers fired live rounds into the crowd.

When CNN interviewed the Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, he denied the shooting, claiming that the videos of soldiers opening fire were "manipulated." However, an investigation by CNN confirmed that soldiers had indeed fired live rounds into the crowd.

The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, initially denied that he had invited the military to the scene, saying that he did not have the authority to do so. However, a leaked audio recording later revealed that he had indeed invited the military to help restore order.

The Lekki toll gate shooting sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, both within Nigeria and internationally. The Nigerian government's response to the event has been criticized, with many calling for an independent investigation into the shooting and for those responsible to be held accountable.

Now, as I think back to that day, my heart aches for the innocent lives lost and the pain and trauma suffered by those who survived. I wonder if justice will ever be served, if the government will ever take responsibility for its actions, and if we, as a people, will ever truly experience the change we so desperately need. But one thing is certain, the memory of that day will forever be etched in my mind, a reminder of the sacrifices we made and the price we paid for standing up for what we believe in.