EndSars protest in some parts of Lagos State, Nigeria, took a violent turn on Thursday as some cutlass wielding thugs were reported to have attacked peaceful protesters at Alausa area of the state.
The scene of the attack was not far from the State House.
However, there were allegations that the hoodlums were said to have been brought in a Bus Mass Transit (BRT) owned by the state government, thereby heightening fears that the whole incident may have been sponsored by the Lagos State Government through the popular leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), known as MC Oluomo.
The State government and the NURTW boss has since denied any involvement.
The protesters have vowed not to relent until their demands are met.
Some Nigerians, who are indifferent to the struggle, have expressed their concerns over the possibility of the protests being hijacked by criminally-minded elements within the society. They claim if this happens, it may lead to a situation which would be too difficult to handle.
In Edo State today, at least two persons were feared dead after sustaining various degrees of injuries arising from gunshots and machete cutes during a clash between ENDSARS protesters and some unknown pro SARS campaigners. The protesters were said to have been attacked at the Edo State House of Assembly at King’s Square.
The Governor of the State, Obaseki, has assured to do everything possible to make sure the assailants are brought to book. Speaking in statement, the governor said, “I have just learnt that hoodlums have attacked #ENDSARS protesters, who have conducted themselves peacefully in Benin City. I extend condolences to the victims of the attacks, including those who lost their lives and others who were injured by the thugs”.
He declared, “I hereby call on the Edo State Police Commands to get out on the streets and provide adequate security for the protesters and ensure that no one is harassed in the course of exercising their rights”.
Although, the Federal Government has dissolved the FSARS unit of the Nigeria Police Force as demanded initially by the protesters, and the country’s Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu, within 24 hours after disbandment, named a newly created unit “SWAT” as a replacement for the controversial SARS, the protesters rejected this move out rightly claiming the SWAT is just a cover replacement for the same set of unguided officers who formerly wears the SARS uniform.