Arson, looting, wanton destruction of public and private properties, street and gang fights are the aftermath of a hitherto civilised and peaceful protest.
Two days after the #EndSARS protests was forcefully brought to an end by heavily armed soldiers spraying live bullets at the unarmed protesters, government and private individuals are counting their losses.
Official reports however, say that only one of the #EndSARS protesters was killed while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said yesterday that only injuries were recorded.
Both reports have been greeted with angry backlash from by the public as footages show otherwise.
The confusion is worsened by some of those listed to have died as a result of the military onslaught coming forward to debunk the rumours.
Tuesday’s gruesome scenes, sadly degenerated into street fights between rival gangs while law enforcement agents attempt in some cases to verbally douse tempers and in some other cases using brute force.
Among the pubic and private properties destroyed are at least 10 police stations.
According to Muyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson, “The hoodlums, who have been causing mayhem in Lagos State, under the guise of the ongoing #EndSARS protest, have killed 2 policemen at Orile Police Station, wounded many at various stations and set ablaze 10police formations across the state.
“Some of the other affected police stations include: Idimu, Igando, Layeni, Denton, Ilenbe Hause, Ajah, Amukoko, Ilasa, Cele Outpost under Ijesha, disbanded SARS office under Ajegunle, Ebute-Ero Mushin (Olosan) where 2 policemen were shot by hoodlums, Ojo and Ajegunle where 2 patrol vans each were set ablaze.”
- The headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Marina was razed after hoodlums overpowered the premises security guards:
- The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akinolu’s palace located in te heart of Lagos Island was broken into despite the contingent of government and private security personnel guarding the palace.
The traditional ruler’s personal belongings were carted away, cars vandalised and staff of office seized by the rampaging mob.
Luckily, they were overpowered by the soldiers on sight just when they were about to set the building on fire.
The attack on the monarch’s palace came as a shock considering that he is a highly respected traditional ruler and not even a politician.
- The premises of TV Continental, which many believe belongs to the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also burnt down along with official and private vehicles of staff parked within.
Luckily, staff confirmed that no life was lost as they were evacuated to safety:
- Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s mother’s house located in Akerele Street in the heart of Surulere was not spared. The elderly lady was however, evacuated to safety before the hoodlums dealt the unfortunate blow to her property.
- Oyingbo BRT bus station was also burnt. Losses include old and new fleet of state of the art state passenger buses.
Eyewitnesses say that not less than 30 buses were destroyed after hoodlums chased everyone within the premises away.
For them, this is in retaliation for the killing of 2 of their members by police operatives.
- Igbosere High Court ws not spared. The hoodlums took it down after carting away computers, air conditioners and other valuables.
A video footage shows one of the thugs dressed in lawyer’s wig and gown with a case file walking majestically out of the court premises.
- FRSC, VIO offices at Ojodu, was completely razed after setting all vehicles within the premises on fire.
The burnt cars include vehicles belonging to members of the public which were impounded by both agencies:
Read also:
Lagos Youth Massacre, No Deaths recorded, Sanwo-Olu (video)
Public and Private Properties Burnt by Hoodlums in Lagos