When I remember Lekki water
Runaway my eyes, eh eh
Water runaway my eyes.
The above lyric composed into a song was what the #ENDSARS youth protesters in Asaba sang as they barricaded the entire Inter-Bau roundabout under the fly-over bridge, even as they sealed off the gate of the Asaba Mall, housing the Shoprite and other shops, locking in customers and preventing further entry of those intending to come in.
The song, which was in reference to the felling of their colleagues at Lekki in Lagos when soldiers opened fire on the unarmed youths doing a peaceful protest was touching, drawing the protesters into sad and mourning mood.
Motorists had a hectic time with the blocked roads, they had a hectic time reversing and finding alternative routes to escape the heavy traffic hold up formed.
Some of their placards read: “Democracy de cry, Buhari resign.” “Nigeria don red.” #EndSARs, Buhari must go.”
Speaking to banneronlinenews.com, the a youth detailed to speak said the youths in Nigeria are angry. He said: “When our fathers disappoint us, we don’t want to disappoint our own children, so we are taking our destiny in our hands.”
Asked why Buhari must go, he said because he has performed below expectation. “He brought immigrants to Nigeria to go into the military. He brought into the country a convoy of Fulani immigrants from Chad to take over the country. Buhari is not a Nigerian.”
At another point, another group of protesters had a banner with the following inscriptions:
The True Meaning of End SARS
• E – Education and economic reforms.
• N – Nigerian constitution reform.
• D – Debt Accountability
• S – Security reform.
• A – Anti-people policies cancelation
• R – Restructuring.
• S – Save cost of governance.
Meanwhile over 100 youths of Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, today, also took to the streets in a peaceful protest against what they described as ‘ unjust police brutality in some parts of the country and bad governance among political leaders.
The peaceful demonstration which commenced at the popular ‘Akara’ bus stop, Ogbeosadi Quarters to Okpanam roundabout through Redeem Road and terminated at the Midwifery market before proceeding through Obodogba Quarters down to Okpanam Gate by the Express by the protesters was accompanied by men of the Nigeria Police, Okpanam Division.
Addressing the protesters before taking off, a human rights activist in the community and one of the frontline campaigners for good governance, Comrade Lucky Okolo , who said that the essence of the protest was to register their displeasure with the manner innocent youths that ought to be the future leaders were being killed by police , especially the just disbanded SARS as well as issues of bad governance in the country.
Comrade Okolo, decried the rate of unemployment in the country, saying that many graduates were roaming the street without any source of livelihood and called on governments at all levels to evolve a blue print aimed at tackling poverty and unemployment.
While urging his co-protesters to shun negative acts such as molestation of the people and looting during and after the demonstration, Comrade Lucky Okolo advocated for more incentives and improved salary scale for police in order to desuade them from unnecessary extortion and other crimes in a bid to make more money.
He urged political leaders to carry the masses along in the scheme of things and ensure that there was adequate security for all Nigerians and residents in the country, just as he frowned at the killing of some protesting youths in Lagos and other parts of the country.
Comrade Lucky Okolo, however, commended Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa for setting up panel of enquiry into police brutality in the state and described the move as a welcome development just as he lauded the governor for transforming the community through roads and other infrastructural development.
The Okpanam-born human rights activist charged youths to shun cultism and other negative vices, with a call on the Federal Government to prioritize the lives of citizens.
Also speaking, another protester who simply identified himself as MC Wine, an entertainer said that the demonstration was in solidarity with the movement for good governance and against ill treatment as well as killing of youths by the security agencies, emphasizing that they would not give room for hoodlums to hijack their good intentions.
Recall that the protesters carried placards with different inscriptions such as “End SARS and Police brutality”, “youths have greater dreams”, “stop killing of youths,” “bad governance must stop”, and “we are youths of change” among others.
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