By Alao Abiodun
There is palpable tension over plans by some defiant groups to commemorate the first anniversary of last year’s #EndSARS nationwide protests in Lagos State.
Those behind the rally are insisting that nothing would stop the October 20th gathering.
This is despite the Lagos State Police Command warning against any form of #EndSARS protest, stating the State cannot afford a repeat of the destruction brought about by hoodlums who hijacked the protests of last year.
The Nation also learnt that to counter the planned memorial protest at the Lekki tollgate axis, some youths are also planning to hold a ‘Defend Lagos’ rally.
“About a year ago, this carnage fell on Lagos State while Lagosians thought it was just going to be a protest. Lagos State was destroyed by End SARS protesters.
“Lagosians are ready to defend Lagos NOW. Never again will Lagos be destroyed,” a trending message seen by The Nation reads.
The coalition of concerned Civil Society Organisations in Lagos, cautioned youths, individuals and groups warming up to mark the first-year anniversary of #EndSARs protests, to have a rethink and not allow a repeat of the mayhem witnessed last year.
In the past few days, The Nation gathered that defiant groups have been mobilising online via social media platforms for a protest to coincide with the Lekki Tollgate incident.
Checks by The Nation shows that the hashtag — #EndSARS has since been trending as Number one on various social media platforms.
The #EndSARS protest, which held between October 8 and 20 last year, was a public outcry for an end to police brutality, extrajudicial killings, extortion and abuse of power, especially by officers of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The tollgate has not been operational since October 20, last year.
Those in Abuja are planning to hold a processional candle session at the Unity Fountain.
Rapper and activist, Folarin Falana, a.k.a Falz in pidgin English in a viral video seen by The Nation said: “October 20 don dey come like this, for your information, police commissioner say make we stay inside, una hear abi una no hear? Them go dey disguise.
“They said on that very day, make we no commot. Dem dey craze? No matter how many them be. As I dey talk to you now, police don station for toll gate. Una go commot abi una no go commot? They no born them…October 20 is coming; for your information, the police commissioner has said we should stay inside.
“Have you heard that? They said on that day, we should not go out to protest; they are crazy. It does not matter how many police personnel they bring. Already, police officers have been stationed at Lekki Toll Gate. Will you go out to protest or not? They dare not…”
