Nigerians are gathering in various locations in Nigeria and abroad to honour the victims of the 2020 #EndSARS protest and mark the second memorial of the Lekki Massacre in Lagos.
Various fliers show that processions have been planned to hold in some major cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Port Harcourt in Rivers and Benin City in Edo. Events to mark the second #EndSARS memorial have also been planned to hold in some foreign locations where many Nigerian nationals are domiciled.
They include Sandton in South Africa, London in UK, and Canada.
“We call upon all concerned CITIZENS Globally. To mark the 2nd anniversary of the Lekki Massacre and other murders during the EndSARS uprising of October 2020,” the flier announcing the protest to hold in Sandton, South Africa says.
The protest will hold at the Nigeria High Commission, Sandton, Johannesburg by 10am while a similar one will hold at the Nigeria High Commission in London, UK by 6pm. Both are supported by the TakeItBack Movement.
Thousands of young people organised and marched through some major cities in the country in October 2020, calling for an end to decades of police brutality and other forms of injustice.
The protesters also called for the disbandment of a police unit notorious for extrajudicial killings and human rights violations, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
However, some of the protesters were attacked and killed by the police and military personnel. Although the government eventually disbanded SARS, it did not stop police brutality.
The government also failed to implement other demands made by the protesters including the improvement of the welfare of police personnel.
The anniversary is to preserve the memory of the unarmed civilians who were murdered by state agents on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos
SaharaReporters earlier reported that there would be a memorial procession at the Lekki Tollgate despite the dwindling civic space for demonstrations under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Thespian and social justice activist Debo Adedayo, aka Mr. Macaroni, tweeted that he would participate in the walk in memory of those who had been brutalised by police.
“Peaceful walk tomorrow in honour of all #EndSars and police brutality victims. We no go fit ever forget!!!!” he tweeted on Wednesday.
Rapper and songwriter Folarin Falana “Falz” also tweeted that he would join the walk to “honour fallen heroes from the #LekkiMassacre #EndSARS”.
According to information on the E-flyer shared by the duo, the memorial procession is organised to feature a walk and drive-by accompanied by horn blaring, solidarity songs and chants from the participants.
While the event is slated to hold from 8am to 11am, citizens are encouraged to visit the venue at any time of the day to pay their respect to the fallen heroes.
p>— ‘Yemi (@_yemia) October 20, 2022