Indications are rife of an impending clash between participants in the protests, commemorating the first anniversary of the EndSARS movement, and security agents across the country.
For starters, armed police personnel, on Tuesday, barricaded the Lekki tollgate area, where many protesters were killed last year.
Personnel of the Lagos State Police Command, Tuesday, embarked on a show of force to intimidate organizers and participants of the #EndSARS memorial protests in the state.
#EndSARS memorial protests are planned to take place in Lagos, Abuja, Aba, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Enugu, Yola, Ibadan, Benin City, Jos, Ilorin, Asaba and Osogbo, among others.
In October 2020, many Nigerians had spontaneously taken to the streets to protest against police brutality, especially by the personnel of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The EndSARS movement turned bloody on October 20, 2020, when security agents fired at the protesters in Lagos.
The capital city of Abuja recorded the attack of protesters by hoodlums, and the looting and vandalism of shops and vehicles.
After days of protests across many states and the capital city, President Muhammadu Buhari disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad police unit – being the fourth time the Federal Government was doing so.
To frustrate the memorial protests in the federal capital city of Abuja, sources reveal that security agencies would deploy personnel in the entry and exit points of Mararaba, Nyanya, Zuba and Airport Road, as well as around many public buildings and infrastructure.
The Unity Fountain, a rallying ground for protests in the city of Abuja, is also expected to be cordoned off, to deny protesters use of that strategic mobilization spot.
Organizers of the memorial protests had posted a notice stating: “In memorial of the lives lost on the 20-10-2020, there will be a memorial car procession on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, taking place at the Lekki Tollgate by 8.10am. We should all endeavour to stay in our vehicles throughout the procession.”
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the protest are planned to commence at 9am at under-bridge, Iwo Road, Ibadan, while a candlelight procession would follow at the Ojoo roundabout by 4pm.
“There will be a morning walk for #EndSARS heroes by 9am at Iwo Road, under-bridge, opposite Tantalizers with a candle light procession at 4pm at Ojoo roundabout, Ibadan,” the notice said.
