#EndSARS: How Not To Protest

For weeks now the #EndSARS protests have raged on across the country with tales of carnage on the part of the police and some other security outfits recklessly trending on the social media and also on the conventional media. On their part, the protesters were reported to have turned violent, setting public buildings, police stations and banks on fire.

Accordingly, there were disturbing reports of what the media calls the massacre of the protesters at the two locations in Lagos. Lekki and Alausa were said to be the two hot spots of the deadly clashes between the security agencies and the protesters, where a combined total of about 85 persons were reportedly killed by the strong fire power of the security operatives. From the same Lagos came reports of the protesters attacking police stations, the headquarters of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), commercial banks, including Polaris Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank, and razing them to ashes.

Similarly, the residences of some prominent Nigerians, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, were reportedly stormed by the #EndSARS protesters, such that the Oba had to be rescued by a team of armed soldiers. Reports went further to say that in the ensuing confusion; many valuables were carted away by the angry youths on protest. Even the Oba’s Staff Of Office, which represents the symbol of royal powers, was stolen by the youths. Asiwaju was glaringly luckier, as he was said to be out of the country when the irate youths stormed his residence.

From Port Harcourt came reports indicating that the #EndSARS protests have degenerated into chaos, as the mob deliberately left the route of the protests and headed to the Hausa Quarters, where most residents from the northern parts of the country are living and conducting their lawful businesses. On getting there, the protesters were caught on video attacking , beating and throwing dangerous objects at the Hausas, who had to come out, form a front and defended themselves, their families and of course their businesses. And while all these were going on, there was actually no police, army or any other security operative in sight.

Similarly, in Jos the Plateau State capital, the story is not different. Here the protests have turned religious, as the Hausa Muslims and their Mosque were reportedly attacked, leading to a ‘war’ of sorts between the attackers and the law abiding citizens trying to defend themselves.

By and large, there is an issue here that needs to be considered. Well-meaning Nigerians have since voiced out their concerns by warning that what started as a simple expression of displeasure and grievances should and must not be allowed to degenerate into anarchy. This is because if it does, it means nobody is safe whether at the protests or even in the comfort of one’s home.

Granted, almost all the demands of the protesters are very genuine and reasonable, but the way and manner the protests are turning and deviating from the original objectives live much to be desired.

That the government has responded by immediately announcing the disbanding of the elite police unit remains a strong indication that the government is willing to not only listen to the youths, but also to act accordingly, and this must be followed by a sincere commitment to do more.

That the angry youths have refused to take the words of the government, even as it promises to look critically into the grievances of the protesters, was due largely to government’s earlier bad reputation of not delivering on its promises. Nigerians now don’t believe anything the politicians, who are the ones running the government, say. The citizens no longer trust their government. This notwithstanding, DESERT HERALD hereby joins in the call for immediate calm and suspension of all ‘hostilities’ from both sides as the only way to keep and maintain the peace. It is not good for anybody that our young, vibrant and hardworking youths are being killed in scores on a daily basis.

So rather than sending soldiers on plain clothes, as claimed by a section of the media, to go and disrupt the protests, thereby killing and maiming scores in the process, the government should have stepped up efforts at restoring the lost trust and confidence among Nigerians with a view to being more considerate and more sensitive to the plight of the ‘common’ and ‘ordinary’ Nigerians.

The Federal Government must act fast in this direction because evidently time is running out fast.

———————————————————————-