#EndSARS Protests: The Aftermath - By Nifemi ORIMABUYAKU

By Noel O’tayo -

 


The EndSARS protest started as an online protest on social media but most prominent on the micro-blogging platform - Twitter in 2017, with the hashtag #EndSARS. This movement called for the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of assaults, killings, harassment, lack of freedom of expression, misuse and mishandling of weapons, amongst other issues. 

This moment was revitalized in October 2020, shortly after the nation’s (Nigeria) independence and this time stronger than it was in the past. It started with an online activism as usual, which eventually led to protests, demonstrations and many more.

The slogan #EndSARS became a mantra not just calling for dissolving the Special Anti Robbery Squad but for rejecting bad governance, asking for accountability from the government, seeking a new nation after 60 years of anguish, pain and struggles without any profound developments.

The EndSARS movement wasn’t religion or ethnic based, it was the coming together of both the Christians and Muslims, several tribes in Nigeria seeking a revolution. It was a protest that went by the term SORO SOKE i.e speak louder. The protest reflected the fact that the youth did not inherit their parents silence.

This movement led to a lot of happenings in the nation, amidst which was the shooting of some peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza on the 20th of October 2020. This great revolutionary moment had some aftermath i.e after this protest, some things were no longer the way it used to be.

Anti-social Media Bill:


There was a change, a wave that came immediately after the EndSARS protest which is the Anti-social Media Bill. This bill was introduced by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 5th November 2019 but was greatly revisited after the EndSARS protest. One of the cogent reason is because the EndSARS protest had it’s major support on the social media, Twitter most especially. This bill is to criminalize the use of the social media in peddling false or malicious information.

Lawlessness and insecurity


Lawlessness which can be simply referred to as the lack of law and order or a state of anarchy, became the order if the day in the nation. Hoodlums who attacked and took hold of the EndSARS protest for their own selfish reasons were everywhere. Looting available shops and calling them COVID-19 palliatives warehouse. Ruining the nation’s acquisition and investment.

Insecurity has been a part of the nation over time, but after the EndSARS protest, it increased greatly because the security officials wouldn’t even respond or beep an eye to any violent cry out there. As the angry mob are ready to destroy and feed on the security personnel. 


This been known to a large number of the citizens, negative actions were taken which further heightened the insecurity in the nation.

The EndSARS protest is such a commendable one which brought to the notice of the government that the citizens aren’t dormant, neither are they contented with the bad governance and leadership. Regardless we still have a few nonchalant citizens, just like the scripture referred to them as “wolf in sheep clothing” who sooner or later will be brought to justice.

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