By Shakirudeen Bankole
Nigerian youths protesting against police brutality in the country, also known as #EndSARS, have defied the 4pm curfew, announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu, declared the stay at home order, citing cases of violence and property destructions in some parts of the Lagos metropolis.
There was a report that hoodlums, who may have been sponsored by politicians’, had invaded the Police Divisional Headquarters in Orile Iganmu, setting it ablaze.
A viral video of the alleged scene is trending on the social media, with some of the thugs seen carting away the police arms and ammunitions.
“Dear Lagosians, I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society.
“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state. As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement. We will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.
“I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October, 2020. Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets,” Sanwo-olu said.
But ironically, as at 4:10pm, protesting youths continue to throng the State Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja, vowing to rather die than to leave the streets defeated.
One of them, Ishola Harun, who spoke with our correspondent, said “it is a do or die affair for this protest.
“The government should either accede to our demands by providing the template for a fair social justice system for all or continue to deal with our nuisance.”
His admonition was consistent with that of thousands of other youths protesting at the venue.
Also speaking with this reporter, Olohunlomeru Abdulazeez, a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University said “we have been cowed and intimidated for a long time by the government, it is time to show them that we are tired and :Enough is Enough.”
Abdulazeez, who is a telephone repair engineer at Computer Village in Awolowo, Ikeja, said a friend of his has fallen to the bullets of the rampaging SARS and he is ready to get justice for his friends soul.
“I don’t mind paying the ultimate price for this request. Enough is enough,” he shouted before breaking down in tears.
From Ikotun, Egbeda, and Ikeja, the protest continued unabated, but with a fewer road blocks, compared to the previous day.
