This time last week we were all in high spirits. Finally, the youths have risen up to fight for their rights, our hopes were up, and we were fighting for change. We flooded the streets in our numbers and decided we were done with police brutality and we wanted real change but if only we knew what was coming.
On October 20th 2020, our hopes came crashing when Nigerian soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate and killed some Nigerian citizens whose only crime was having the courage to demand “change” which their leaders promised when they were seeking their votes. They were killed because they peacefully asked to be allowed to live and for good governance. This was painful enough; more painful is the deafening silence regarding what happened that night.
No one has come forward to explain to us what happened that night; our leaders are avoiding the subject like a plague. The thought that someone order that peaceful protesters be shot on sight is scary. The worst part is that although we saw live videos from credible sources, the Lagos state government announced that there were no fatalities. It’s almost like it is all in our heads like we were hallucinating.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria finally decided to address the nation after being away for a while but there was no mention of the lives that were lost that night, who gave the order to shoot at peaceful protesters? What exactly happened at the toll gate that night? It is almost like no one cares. The little beam of hope we had has been shattered, people are afraid for their lives and their future in this country.
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Hoodlums have also attacked businesses and catered away with their goods which were gotten with hard-earned money. There was no mention of compensation packages for these businesses. Also, it is a bit weird that all through the raid by hoodlums, there was no unit sent to ensure law and order. It is almost like there was a conspiracy of silence, “let the policemen stand aside so the people can see what it feels like to be without them”. The attack led to the loss of lives and properties running into millions of dollars. Yet the silence lingers.
After the President’s speech on Thursday, Nigerians took to social media to do what we do when we try to get away from our pain, make jokes about it. It was a relief to see many people laughing again after days of being sad and feeling hopeless but I hope we are not laughing away the anger we felt on Tuesday night. We must not forget how it felt like the lives of Nigerians meant nothing, the coming generation deserves better. We must stay focused, let our hopes rise again and continue to believe in Nigeria.
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