A popular Nigerian rapper, and someone who without a doubt is the new leader of the Nigerian youths, as they mostly look up to him, Folarin Falana who is better known as Falz, has announced a new protest strategy for the EndSARS memorial tomorrow.
The Afropop star alongside other Nigerian celebrities, taking to their separate social media on Tuesday 19th October 2021, announced that the EndSARS memorial tomorrow will be a car procession, so as to beat the Nigerian Police Force to whatever they might have planned against the protesters tomorrow.
The procession is a part of activities to mark the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.
Falz shared e-fliers of the car procession and the order of the programme on his social media handle.
He also accused the government of hosting events to distract youths, Mr Macaroni berated the youth for ‘eating’ government money despite the latter’s restrictions on the protest.
Sharing the e-fliers on Instagram, Falz wrote, “It is impossible for us not to memorialize our fallen heroes. We will never ever forget.
“Innocent Nigerian citizens waved flags and sang till they were shot at, injured and killed. We must never forget.
“We’re rolling up in cars tomorrow to drive through the tollgate. We know their way, so a procession of cars is the safest option to minimize police harassment.
“We will stay in our vehicles throughout. We have rides for people that need it. Each and every one’s safety is very important so please let’s move together.
The procession is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, October 20, at the Lekki Tollgate, from 8am till 10am.
The Police Initial Response To The EndSARS Memorial?
The Lagos State Police command had a few days ago, banned any form of protest in the state, in a statement signed by the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
The force argued that it made the decision following new development of violent attacks on police officers and men and formations.
The Police statement on the EndSARS memorial procession reads:
“Due to the new development of violent attacks on police officers and men and formations, including innocent Nigerians in Lagos State, and the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government with effect from 4pm of today 20th October 2020, the Lagos State Police Command wished to inform the general public that henceforth no protest or gathering or possession, under whatever guise, was permitted within Lagos State.
“In the same vein, the command regrets to confirm the setting ablaze of Orile Police State today at about 10am, where some of our policemen were critically injured and unconfirmed reports state that one of them is dead.
“Its crystal clear that the EndSARS protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who want to run down the state and the police command will resist such state of anarchy, unrest, and brouhaha with all powers within the ambit of the law.”
The Police Making A U-turn On The Banned Protest?
The Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, after the condemnation that greeted his initial statement banning the EndSARS memorial procession, released yet another statement where he said the police is ready to protect those who may want to embark on protests or procession in the state to mark one year anniversary of #EndSARS protests.
Speaking to journalists when he was monitoring the Peoples Democratic Party state congress election at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos on Saturday, Odumosu said the protesters have the right to protest and be protected by the police.
Odumosu said that what the police were advocating was for those who want to organise such protests to work together and have a meeting point.
He said: “If you want to protest, it is your right under the law but you don’t have to block the road because in the process of obstructing the road, you are no longer protesting for better life for people.
However, what happens to pregnant women on emergency, what happens to collapsed buildings, fire incident when the roads are blocked?
“Don’t forget that this is Lagos, it is the economy of the country and it is equally a working day and you can imagine those lives that earn their living on a daily basis.
“There are some people that cannot to feed their families when protesters block the road definitely,” he said.
The commissioner appealed to the #EndSARS protesters to let the police know the time they want to embark on their procession so they could be provided with adequate security and to ensure free flow of traffic during the exercise.