Dare Babalola
Nigerian comedian and activist Debo Adebayo known also as Mr Macaroni has vowed never to forgive and forget October 20, 2020, the day of the #EndSARS protests in Lagos and other Nigerian states, which allegedly claimed the lives of several demonstrators.
On the fifth anniversary of the controversial protest, Mr Macaroni, in a post he made on X on Monday, honored those who lost their lives, jobs, and dreams while condemning the nation’s leadership.
He wrote, “Nigerian Youths lost their lives, jobs, families and dreams at the hands of the most corrupt and evil People we call Leaders!!!
Even though some of us are deeply in love with our Oppressors, this day 20/10/2020 is never to be forgotten nor forgiven!”
For years, young Nigerians had cried out against the repeated and discriminate occurrences of torture, maiming, extortions, and even murder at the hands of operatives of a rogue police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The final straw came in early October 2020, when a viral video allegedly showed SARS operatives killing a young man in Delta State. Within hours, hashtags calling for the abolition of SARS trended worldwide.
What began online spilled into the streets.
In Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Benin City, and across Nigeria, thousands rallied in unprecedented numbers. It was not just about SARS; it was about dignity, accountability, and the right to live without fear of those meant to protect.
These complaints exploded into two weeks of peaceful #EndSARSprotests across mostly southern and central Nigeria.
On the evening of October 20, 2020, a large number of peaceful youths were at a toll-gate plaza in Lekki, an upscale Lagos district, continuing the demonstrations despite a curfew.
