EndSARS protest- 2nd memorial to honor lost lives

Precious Yusuf

Two years after the #EndSARS protest of October 20, 2020, a memorial procession was announced by Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz.

According to the flier shared, the procession of  cars participating in the memorial will pass through the toll gate, waving the Nigerian flags and chanting #EndSARS.

A police officer who wanted to remain anonymous said, “As long as they do not stop, we shouldn’t have a problem, because the agreement is that they don’t stop.

“But the moment anybody stops that person will be picked up and locked up in the van.”

Heavy police presence, with about 25 police cars and one black maria, can be seen at both sides of the toll gate to make sure that things do not escalate out of control. 

Meanwhile the second memorial is coming a year after the National Economic Council headed by the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, had ordered state government to compensate the families of those who lost relatives during the #EndSARS protest. 

About 51 civilians, 11 police officers, and seven soldiers reportedly died in the unrest while scores of protesters were detained.

Only Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and the Federal Capital Territory have complied with the NEC resolution while others failed to implement the recommendations the panels made.

Following this, the Lagos State government paid N420m, while Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola presented the sum of N53.2m to 13 victims in May.

The National Human rights commission panel also known as the Abuja panel paid N439m and the Ekiti State government disbursed N21.25m.

Though reports have been made that police have continued to fire teargas and water cannons to disperse protesters gathered at the venue.