By Shakirudeen Bankole
Pandemonium enveloped the Ikotun area of Lagos State Wednesday, as peaceful protesters were allegedly attacked by the officers of the Police Divisional Office in the area, “killing three persons” in the process.
What started out as a peaceful protest against police brutality in the country, according to findings, suddenly degenerated into chaos, when the armed policemen launched out to enforce the supposed 24 hours Curfew, declared by the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Like their peers across the country, the young protesters had stormed out as early as 9:00am, in defiance of the stay-at-home order, to express their skepticism against the government’s credibility to deliver on its promises and their demands on the #EndSARS protest.
As they refused to back down, the police was insistent on enforcing the curfew order, tension and shooting ensued subsequently.
At the end of the chaos, three young demonstrators, all men, were shot and killed.
The development infuriated the protesters who became angry and headed to attack the Police Divisional Office, setting it ablaze.
According to an eyewitness, Mr. Daniel Umoren, “the sad development in Ikotun today is similar to the same unfortunate massacre that happened in Lekki Toll Gate yesterday, where peaceful protesters were being shot at and killed needlessly.”
A photography professional, Umoren said he almost got himself killed, as he made attempt to document the “chaos and almost got shot.”
Angry mobs, numbering in their hundreds, stormed out, with sticks, machetes, and other dangerous weapons, vowing to revenge on behalf of their friends that were killed.
The videos of the shootings were freely shared, and now uploaded on the social media.
In one of the footages, a protester, who was running away from arm’s way was seen being hit by bullet in his upper abdomen, dying immediately on the newly refurbished Ikotun intersection.
Another young protester, from the inner street, close to the Palace of the Oba of Ikotun, was also hit by bullet and died immediately.
The video record of the third person, who was allegedly killed in the police shooting could not be obtained as at press time.
The Ikotun Police Divisional Officer, CSP John Adagba, could not be reached as at the press time.
While his phone number could not be reached, messages sent to his Whatsapp were not replied as at the time of filing this report.
Questions sent to Adagba include: How did the protest degenerated into this chaotic level? Can you confirm that you and all of your men are safe? Is it the truth that your men infuriated the peaceful protesters by opening fire on them, killing three youths?
