- Safiu Kehinde
Security personnel attached to the Lekki Toll Gate have on Monday allegedly assaulted and stop human rights activist, Yemi Adamolekun, from laying flowers at the toll Gate in remembrance of the #EndSARS.
Recall that the toll gate was the epicentre of the 2020 nationwide protest against police brutality and extrajudicial killings especially the infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The now defunct unit of the police was renown for its brutality and excessive use of force.
The week-long protest in demand for he scrap of the unit hit its climax on the 20th of October 2020 when military men fired at protesters with many dead and several others injured.
With yesterday marking the fifth year the tragic incident occurred, Adamolekun had gone to the tollgate to lay a flower in remembrance of the fallen heroes of the protest.
The Enough is Enough (EiE) convener was however challenged by the toll gate security personnel with a video shared on X showing how the officers snatched the flower from her.
Adamolekun was forcefully dragged away from the toll gate.
The action had sparked outrage from netizens who condemned the security personnel’s assault on the activist.
“Hitler no do reach this ones… You k!lled peaceful protesters, still melt violence to people that care to remember them.To all the Law enforcement agencies of Nigeria. ENKR!!!” @Baybbie
“This is the most peaceful and humane gesture, yet they responded with excessive force. What type of society have we created”@damie_ski
“They are not even police men. Who gave them power?”@AdenikeAwe1
“Shameless touts. 20 years from now they will protest about gratuity and pension and expect sympathy. Oafs.”@nwaegbe_nkem
“If we don’t take laws into our own hands, these guys will kill is all! Then they will come out to protest about non-payment of pensions”@kilzthegreat
“Wickedness is in the DNA of too many Nigerians.”@MotunrayoAgusto
“What type of country is this for goodness sake”@0keowo
“These fools who are more dangerous to good than evil persons in ‘ruinership’ positions live among us. They have families and still go ahead to disrespectfully treat people who care like this. Mehn! This country….”@OluwatobiJohn4
“They’re honoring a memorial of a protest against violence and they’re met with violence.”@tambarry