- Traffic Gridlock On Lagos Roads, Air Travellers Affected
- Protesters Keep Motorists At Standstill At Lekki Tollgate, Alausa-Ikeja, Ikorodu Road, Surulere, Yaba, Ojota
- Buhari, Sanwo-olu Speak
By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
A protester was reportedly killed in Lagos as hundreds of End SARS campaigners on Monday stormed major roads in Lagos and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport which led to a serious traffic gridlock and paralyzed business in the commercial hub.
The young protester who was dressed in a red T-shirt and black trouser died during the protest in Surulere-Lagos to end police brutality in the country as armed policemen shot sporadically to disperse the protesters.
As seen in live footage, efforts to save his life proved abortive as medics attempted to rescue him.
Read also: Falz, Runtown, Other Celebrities Lead EndSars Protest In Lagos
He was one of the two protesters hit by live bullets during the protest.
See Tweet:
We just lost a Nigerian to a gunshot, at the Surulere protest 💔💔💔💔
The medical team did their best to keep him alive. The young Nigerian also put up a good fight.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it.#SarsMustGoNow #SURULEREPROTEST #ReformTheNigerianPolice #surulere pic.twitter.com/ZaSb3RFNK8
— Debo Macaroni (@Vendor_Nigeria) October 12, 2020
Despite the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu dissolving the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Sunday, the protesters continued to press on their demands for the end of police brutality, asking for an executive order from the presidency as proof of assurance that government will not tread the matter with kid gloves.
The #EndSARS protesters shut down the Lekki Tollgate and places like Alausa in Ikeja, Lekki, Ikorodu Road, Surulere, Yaba forcing traffic to a standstill and giving motorists a torrid time.
Protesters marched from the Computer Village in Ikeja, through to Ikeja Along Bus Stop to the airport, obstructing traffic and delayed vehicles from accessing the airport through the plaza
The entrance to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos was blocked as members if the #EndSARS carried placards in front of the Access Plaza.
Read also: Enugu Int’l Airport Reopens For Operations After N10bn Repairs
Many intended travellers had to find alternative means of transportation.
Several motorists, who expressed their frustration at the gridlock, said they have been stuck in the traffic for more than two hours
It was gathered the protest began at 10 am.
#EndSARS Protesters staged different demonstrations at different places in Lagos. They were seen today at Akerele Road in Surulere, National Stadium in Surulere as motorists moving along Eko Bridge were affected.
The protesters also barricaded the Alausa section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and environ.
The outskirt of Lagos at Alagbole in Akute also recorded protests as
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: Say No to Illegal Arrest of youths, #1 Nigeria is Possible if all right is respected and protected. Stop Police harassment, brutality, now, among others.
In Ikorodu Road, the traffic was heavy due to the protest as vehicular traffic was much affected from Fadeyi moving inward barracks at the point of the protest to Ketu-Ojota axis of the road.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu earlier led a delegation to Lekki area where protesters practically shut down all activities.
Sanwo-Olu appealed for calm. “The safety of our residents is my number one duty as the CSO of Lagos. So, reading reports of seemingly unlawful exploitation by the people charged to protect is very worrying & needs to be addressed immediately. Be assured that appropriate actions will be taken, & speedily too,” he tweeted.
As a result of the incessant protest, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, in a video, addressed the concerns of Nigerians on his official Twitter handle.
He said the disbandment of FSARS is the first step to the extensive police reforms being planned by his administration.
In line with the call by the End SAR protesters, Buhari said he has directed that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be investigated and brought to justice.
