By John Ikani
Despite Police warnings against any form of protest in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, social media has been flooded with the proposed activities for the memorial.
The memorial seeks to commemorate the historic #EndSARS Protests during which hundreds were killed and even many more were maimed and unjustly imprisoned in their campaign against police brutality and bad governance.
Several photos have been circulated on social media showing the venues of the event across Nigeria, with the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos being the most notable venue.
The flyers trending on Facebook on the proposed activities for the anniversary indicate that the events would begin with a Jumat service on October 15, at the Jumaat Suadr Central Mosque, Ojota, Lagos.
This would be followed by traditional rites on October 16, at the New Afrika Shrine in Agidingbi, Lagos.
On October 17, a church service would be held at Lagos Christian Centre in Oregun, Lagos.
Memorial protests will also be held in major cities like Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Abuja. The activists will also hold an event at the Lekki tollgate, Lagos, on October 20.
This is despite the statements released by the Oyo and Lagos state Police Commands warning youths to desist from participating in such protests.
The police also threatened to utilise all ‘legitimate’ means to clamp down on peaceful protests.
A statement from the Oyo State Police Command said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, has “directed extensive visibility and aggressive patrols by Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers while the adequate deployment of operational, intelligence and tactical assets would be strategically positioned across every nook and cranny of the state.”
A similar statement from Lagos police boss, Hakeem Odumosu read: “The police in the state will not fold their arms and allow some misguided elements disrupt the peace and serenity currently being enjoyed in the state.
“To forestall breakdown of law and order, the police will use all legitimate means within their constitutional powers to suppress the planned protest.”
