In the words of Ama Ata Aidoo, a former Ghanaian minister , author and academic , in her expression against oppression by the colonizers, when asked “but don’t you think that this is over now?” , responded, “over where? Is it over?”
So to those who shamed people seeking a better country, those who told the “Liberation Generation” to be quiet, saying it was over ; responding to their “Soro soke”(speak up) with a vile “Gbenu dake” (keep quiet/ shut up); to them, the question now is “over where? Is it over?”
It has been exactly 25 days since the shooting at the Lekki toll gate, 25 days since the Lagos protests “ended” but even after that, protesters in other states of the country continued to speak up.
One might think that after the pain and sombreness that engulfed the nation following the events of 20.10.20 and the initial blatant denials and later, condemnation of the military actions of that night; something substantial might come out of it. But what have we really gotten out of it ? Nothing but chaos and more unanswered questions.
Read also: Freezing protesters accounts, morally and legally wrong
The expressions of the Nigerian government system appear to be throwing a tantrum.
The volume of talks of fixing the system seems to have been lowered significantly and now, with the vigour that was expected to be applied in attending to the peaceful protesters concerns; the Nigerian government and pro-government allies are going after End SARS protesters; holding them responsible for the anarchy that ensued, leaving in its wake, senseless destruction.
KeneChukwu Okeke, a lawyer who also identifies as a human rights activist has initiated criminal proceedings against about 38 End SARS protesters, calling them “riot promoters”. Some of the protesters he has sued include Falz, Feyikemi Abudu, Sam Adeyemi and Aisha Yesufu. He has pledged to “pursue this matter diligently and impassively to ensure that maximum punishments are meted to the alleged promoters of #EndSARS riots in accordance with the laws of the land”.
The bank accounts of 20 active participants in the protests have been frozen by the Central Bank with little substantial justification.
The government has decided to punish peaceful protesters by adopting a range of punitive tactics ranging from freezing bank accounts, to arbitrary arrests and seizing travel documents. Modupe Odele, popularly known as “Moe/ Mochievous” on social media, a lawyer who provided pro bono legal aid to people arrested during the protests; just had her passport returned to her 4 days ago, after it was seized by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for a week without explanation; resulting in her forfeiting travel plans.
People involved with the protests in any capacity are being taken away from their homes, arrested and being accused of being responsible for violent crimes. From WhatsApp groupchat administrators such as Fisayo Aderemi and Babawale Popoola in Osun state to Eromosele Adene, an artist in Lagos state , people who lent their voices, time and skills to the movement against police brutality and bad governance are being targeted and punished.
Amidst all this, there are still reports of people being harassed by law enforcement.
So is it over ?
Nigerians have refused to stay quiet; the continued violation of human rights is maddening. A petition to sanction Nigerian leaders for human rights violations, which garnered over 200,000 signatures has caught the attention of the UK government; however, they await results of the investigations by the Nigerian government.
Who ordered the shooting at the Lekki toll gate?
Why has the brutality not stopped?
What are the police saying?
Where is the video footage from the toll gate DURING the shootings?
What next? Where do we go from here?
So many questions post protest. Nigerians are looking for answers and are readier than ever to demand these answers and create some of their own.
