Last weekend, Nigerians took to the streets to protest years-long brutality by the police unit SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad), turning the social media movement #EndSARS into an unstoppable force. As the hashtag trended at No 1 on global Twitter, people walked under the sun, shouting, “End SARS!” in different cities—and they continue to walk.
There have been stories of mobilizations: Nigerians raising millions of Naira for victims and protesters, an anonymous website endsars.com collecting stories of SARS, organisations offering practical support.
And then there have been stories of suppressions: protesters were teargassed and attacked with live ammunition, a SARS man threatened to kill 29 people and then kill himself, a SARS man shot directly into a crowded road, and then the death of Jimoh Isiaq. The attacks on protesters didn’t stop even after the announcement that SARS had been “dissolved.”
Here at Folio Nigeria, we have compiled a few videos that tell the stories of last weekend’s #EndSARS protests.
Awkuzu, Anambra State: The young men forced by SARS men to pray in Igbo for their own safety–years ago. It has been claimed that not all of them made it out alive
Who remembers this video from Akwuzu SARS hold. It hits deeper if you understand Igbo #EndSARSProtest pic.twitter.com/elxZwTFvjN
— Ichie Bullion (@principe_viii) October 9, 2020
The protesters who prayed before protest
This video of this group of people praying before they embarked on the #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality protest is one of the most enduring things I've ever seen.#SARSMUSTEND pic.twitter.com/8X7GBqIrLj
— We are all Jimoh Isiaq (@I_Am_Ilemona) October 12, 2020
The young man who refused to be afraid of soldiers, jumping and shouting, “End SARS!”
People are not even scared of soldiers again Na Waoo please if you come across This Retweet for the seek of our brothers out there.
they're not fighting for us again but we, we can.
We must #EndSARS #EndSARSImmediately #EndPoliceBrutalitynow 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JzpIjrOtJX— Mustiano 💎 (@Mustiano13) October 9, 2020
The Nigerian mothers who came out for their children
Our mothers are speaking with one voice #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/rByp7vVnfF
— The Souvenir Whisperer🍓🎗️ (@Inzaghi1) October 9, 2020
Abuja: protesters running from police teargas
Peaceful protesters were attacked by the @PoliceNG around Abia House. #EndSARS #EndSarsProtests #EndSARSAbuja pic.twitter.com/Ij13zekleq
— RU’ OF THE BUJ’ (@nkay_yo) October 9, 2020
Abuja: protesters singing and dancing to Davido’s “FEM”
Music just came. Let's uplift our spirit!! Still waiting for the hibernating IGP of @PoliceNG.#EndSARS #AbujaProtests pic.twitter.com/ps3NNKKjdR
— Ebenezer Agu (@eezer_) October 10, 2020
Lagos: protesters at Lagos State Deputy Governor’s house in Ikoyi
Our #EndSARSProstest has progressed to the Deputy Governor of @followlasg, @drobafemihamzat’s house in Ikoyi where we demand #EndSARS. pic.twitter.com/KNgNG4wAv0
— Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi (@AyodejiOsowobi) October 10, 2020
Unidentified SARS man threatens to kill protesters: “Na 30 bullets I get. I go waste 29 for una and use the last one confirm myself”
I have 30 bullets. I'll kill 29 people and use the last one to kill myself if it comes to that — alleged police officerpic.twitter.com/kU7R1i20uH
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) October 10, 2020
Abuja: a protester narrates how police attacked them even before their protest, including that 5 policemen beat one woman
Here is @I_Am_Ilemona relating what just happened #ENDSARS pic.twitter.com/4RUkbqkUns
— David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) October 11, 2020
A policeman shoots straight in a crowded street
I'm confused. Straight shot!
This should be treated as matter of urgency! #EndSarsNowpic.twitter.com/XYCYSBcIXz— Premier (@SodiqTade) October 11, 2020
London: singer WizKid tells protesters, “Nigerian youths, don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have a voice”
Young man asks his church why it has remained silent on the protests
The moment when the Inspector General of Police announced that SARS “is hereby dissolved.”
Visit endsars.com.
