The #EndSARS demonstrations are still taking place across the country and the action appears not to have an end in sight. In Lagos the nation’s commercial nerve centre, the #EndSARS protesters continued their call for not just an end to police brutality and bad governance, they also ask for a better welfare package for police officers.
The protesters gathered at the Lekki toll gate and started off the day by cleaning the protest environment, an activity that forms part of their resolution to leave no dirt from the previous night on the protest ground. This they believe will be an example for those in authority to understand how proper organization can propel the nation forward.
After cleaning, they proceeded to pray and the stage was set for the day’s activities. Similarly, protesters have started their demonstrations in other states across the country, with a focus on unity and progress for a nation where the youths are given the opportunity to thrive.
In Abuja, the nation’s capital, hundreds of young people barricaded the Kubwa axis of the Abuja-Zuba highway, disrupting vehicular movement on the road. This is despite the ban on all public demonstrations in the nation’s capital.
The protesters had previously blocked the Abuja-Gwagwalada road, which leads to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport bringing the FCT to stand still as the ensuring traffic built up in the axis spread to other areas of the city. Delta State protest took a slightly different turn and the youths defied the rain and blocked the Asaba-Onitsha highway leading to the niger bridge.
They blocked the road and in various choruses and chants they demanded an end to police brutality Defying the rains, they camped at the summit junction of the highway leaving commuters stranded for hours. Even the presence of the Nigerian Army there could not deter them as they vowed to remain there until all their demands are met.
And on the other side of the niger in Onitsha, what has been termed a mother of all protests was staged along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, shutting down the Awka-Awkuzu axis. In their thousands, the youths trooped out demanding the prosecution of SARS officials who have been found guilty of abusing their office and oppressing citizens. The protesters gathered in their numbers at the Anambra state capital, Awka, from where they marched through Unizik junction, Kwatta junction and other popular areas along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
The mammoth moved towards Awkuzu, the once dreaded headquarters of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Anambra state.
Youths in Oyo State are not left out of Sunday’s demonstrations, the young people have gathered at the State Secretariat’s entrance in Agodi, Ibadan, and there they will stage the day’s agitation, lending their voices to the calls for an end to bad governance.
The current demonstration across Nigeria has no face, has no leaders, the youths say they have nothing but their voices and until their demands are met, they will not get off the streets. Channels
#EndSARS: Youths set up helplines, charging ports to support protesters
The ingenuity of Nigerian youths while protesting Police brutality has been consistent as people from different walks of life offer their services pro bono. Helplines and charging ports, among others, have been set up by the protesters to press home their demands. We have a helpline now as well!
01 700 1755
1. Press one for medical
2. Press two for legal
3. Press three for food and supplies
4. Press for 4, 5 or 6 for mental health emergencies#EndSARS
THANK YOU @EbyAkhigbe @funmioyatogun You can still DM @endsarsresponse
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 17, 2020
Line has crashed temporarily o. It rings but has stopped connecting to our phones rn. They said 20 minutes https://t.co/b4ZUWD70uu
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 17, 2020
The #EndSARS protests have given a platform to the youths to prove they can create a system that works if and when given the opportunity.
Most youths serving others in the protests range from 20s, 30s and 40s.
These individuals have built an effective multidisciplinary nationwide network in less than a week with less than N100m (in donations that are still adding up).
They asking, daily and on social media and in the demonstrations, why the government has not been able to use taxes appropriately while theorizing that the people currently in charge are just interested in their share of the “National Cake.”
Lekki #EndSARS protesters can now charge their phones , solar inverter and phone chargers have been made available ?
?
? pic.twitter.com/tlenP8NQWE
— Naija wants to #EndSARS (@Naija_PR) October 16, 2020 We’ve sent security so far to:
Surulere
Shagamu
Arepo
Shomolu
Okota
Alausa day & night
Airport Road
Abuja
Jos
Lekki day & night
Working on locations outside Lagos now.
If you need security please reach out to @SamuelOtigba, @Endsarsresponse or call 017001755 and press 7
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 18, 2020
We’ve started sending ambulances out for today. So far locations are Sagamu, Lekki, Ikorodu, Surulere, Arepo, Airport Road. Working on the rest.
Please call helpline (017001755) or reach @Endsarsresponse if you need one at your protest
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 18, 2020
To everyone asking if they can volunteer at the help line, we’ve got 30 people working in shifts atm so we’re all good atm for the volume we’re getting. I’ll ask here if we need anymore people. Kizzes #EndSARS
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 18, 2020
We’ve started sending ambulances out for today.
So far locations are Sagamu, Lekki, Ikorodu, Surulere, Arepo, Airport Road. Working on the rest.
Please call helpline (017001755) or reach @Endsarsresponse if you need one at your protest
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 18, 2020
Wait, Solar powered charging points?
Are these real pictures? If yes, then “infrastructure” is added to my previous list, as number 8 of the things young people have built in one week.
You are not lazy!#EndSARS https://t.co/U5ddVai0FX
— K.O. | ?? (@KolaOyeneyin) October 16, 2020
The most derided groups in Nigeria—feminists, women, queer, disabled, and youth— are the ones out here protesting for the lives of all Nigerians.
Ain’t that something?
— basseyworld (@Basseyworld) October 18, 2020
The #EndSARS protests have been ongoing for more than 11 days.
Although the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu had disbanded the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the wake of the protests, the agitation has continued to gain traction across the country.
They have rejected the new tactical unit – Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) – formed by the police authorities to replace SARS, saying there is no difference between the former and the latter. Channels
