“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
– John F. Kennedy
It is a very sad day to be a Nigerian. For about two weeks, many young people in Nigeria have been protesting against police brutality through the #EndSARS movement. Although the government claims it is responding to the people’s demands, it has also done a series of troubling things, from sending thugs to disrupt the protests to looking for means to discredit the protests/protesters. Last night, the country and the world witnessed how dangerous and heartless the Nigerian government can be.
After reportedly paying and sending hoodlums to disrupt protests, which led to violence at different parts of the state, the Lagos state government declared a curfew impromptu with no regard for those who would be stuck in the constant traffic on their way back from work. It is also reported that CCTV cameras were taken down, lights were turned off, and network services were disrupted in preparation for what happened last night.
The members of the Nigerian army were sent to shoot at peaceful protesters. The world witnessed as protesters holding the national flag and singing the Nigerian national anthem were shot by those paid with taxpayers’ hard-earned money to protect them. About 78 people are said to be dead and over 100 in various hospitals. To cover up this murder and lie about the figures, members of the Nigerian Army were reported to load their vehicles with the dead bodies of those murdered. As I and many other people watched the videos from last night, our eyes were filled with tears. Our eyes are still filled with tears. How could a government be so inhuman?
It is obvious that this was premeditated and planned, and it is genocide against a people who love their country so much that they want the best for it. Why do such people have to die when those ruining the country walk freely and bask in corrupt wealth? Fela’s “Beasts of no Nation” comes to mind as those in political power (who do not qualify to be called leaders) have proven to be truly beasts.
Like Fela, we must not be tired. We must be resilient. Like the brave ones (may every lost soul rest in power) at Lekki Toll gate last night, we will continue this fight until our last breath. They cannot kill us all. Let our anger be re-fuelled because we have realised that the government doesn’t give a fuck about us. In the words of Fidel Castro, “a revolution is not a bed of roses. A revolution is a struggle between the future and the past.” We are the future. Therefore, the struggle continues. We will seek justice. The undercover military murderer who pretends to be the president needs to step down, and the finger-pointing snaky governor of Lagos, and everyone who has joined forces to perpetrate last night evil against good citizens need to face the consequences of their actions.
We will not be tired. We will not give up. We will take back our country from these heartless people. We deserve a better country, and we will fight for it.
“Better to die fighting for freedom than be a prisoner all the days of your life.”
– Bob Marley.
