Nigerian youths are today mourning their colleagues who passed away during the 20th of October, 2020 shooting incident at the Lekki Toll Gate.
Tagged 20-10-2020, the youths who are largely versatile with the use of social media woke each other up with calls to remember the day and honour as heroes, those killed during the #EndSARS protests.
The youths had, for 2 weeks in October 2020, staged a seamlessly coordinated peaceful protest across the country to call for an end to police brutality and extra-judicial killings by the Police Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).
The Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, in response to their yearnings, disbanded the SARS unit but immediately set up the Special Weapon Tactical Team (SWAT).
SWAT, according to IGP Adamu, was to carry on the functions of SARS after undergoing series of professional trainings.
Nigerians saw no difference in both outfits and again called for the disbandment of the newly formed SWAT.
#EndSWAT thereafter, trended alongside #EndSWAT for the remaining days of the street protests.
Not much has been head about the SWAT since the announcement by the IGP.
Nevertheless, the #EndSARS protest attracted world attention as governments and international media called for the reforms proposed by the youths.
Lekki Toll Gate, Victoria Island Lagos, the epicentre of the protest and the access route to many government and private businesses became inaccessible as the youths staged a daily sit-out at the gate.
The establishment of the SWAT appeared to have triggered the demand by the youths to call for major government reforms so their demands increased.
In no time, hoodlums were unleashed on the streets of Lagos and Abuja in particular by unknown men in corporate suits.
Arson and wanton destruction of lives and properties greeted the peaceful conduct of the protests resulting in a curfew imposed by the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Army was called in by yet to be ascertained members of government to disperse the protesters.
The #EndSARS protesters insisted that live bullets were fired at them. A journalist from Channels Television also reviewed some expended bullet shells at the Lekki Toll Gate.
During the ongoing judicial panel on police brutality, the soldiers insist that only blank bullets were shot at the protesters, surviving victims of live bullets maintain that they were hit by live bullets.
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Nigerian Youths Mourn 20-10-2020 #EndSARS Victims