How The #EndSars Protests Ruined Valentine For Nigerians

On October 2020, the nationwide #EndSars protests began and since then, it has been from one struggle to the other. Now, four months later, Nigerian youths (particularly the ones in Lagos State) have taken to the streets again to continue the protest for a better Nigeria.

The second wave of protest was triggered by the attempted reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State. For some context, the toll gate is where unnamed protesters were shot at by the Nigerian army. This happened on the 20th of October, 2020.

Since this fatal shooting happened, the toll gate has been locked down and investigations were made into the events that led up to the shooting. The judicial panel set up to carry out these investigations is the same panel that voted for its reopening. The announcement of this decision met with stiff opposition and outrage from the #EndSars protesters. They considered it a disrespect and dishonor to the memories of the fallen protesters at the Lekki toll gate shootings.

To amplify this outrage, they took to the streets to protest against its reopening. This started on 13th of February, a day before Valentine’s day.

Unfortunately, the Lagos State government responded with an insane amount of security presence – like there were going against brutal terrorists; An insane amount of police trucks, filled with policemen girded by all of their armor, and a few more ridiculously unnecessary security teams.

They didn’t just stop there either. On saturday, they detained at least twelve people at the protests for absolutely no reason – well, unless being Nigerian has suddenly become a punishable crime.

CNN got some reports from a few people who had been illegally arrested at the protests.

Damilara Adenola said, “We have the right to tell our fellow citizens who are not doing what is right that what they are doing is wrong. We must not lose our courage to speak in the face of oppression and brutality,” According to hin, he had only come to the protests to support its organizers and possibly join them but then, he was arrested. “I told them I’m not going to lose my right to protest even if I’m jailed — I’ll still speak because it is my fundamental human right. This was where our oppressors trod upon our fellow compatriots — fellow young people.”

For him, all plans to reopen the toll gate should be scrapped. Instead, he said, “We felt that this place should be made a museum — a museum of resistance and not a money-making enterprise. People were killed here, so many people are in hospitals — their lives have been spoilt.”

Earlier, the popular activist, Rinu, expressed anger, irritation and hatred for the overall system that chooses to arrest it’s citizens, instead of listening to their demands made in a peaceful way.

All this is happening a few hours to Valentine’s Day, a season of love. Now, the people are agitated and whenever Valentine is mentioned, especially in Twitter discourse, temperatures rise.

For instance, popular Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade got into a squabble with a follower on her page after she made a Valentine themed post.

This post sparked outrage among Nigerians, especially given the timing and platform used.

But wouldn’t it be great if we would redefine what Valentine truly means?

A lot of people believe that Valentine’s Day is simply one day where you get to give gifts to your partner and also vice versa.

But then, the overarching idea with the holiday is LOVE – a virtue we must all emulate. Imagine a country where its government is so in love with its citizens? And would give an arm and leg to make sure they are surrounded by peace, truth, fairness, and justice?

Seems like a dream, right? Either way, with the dawning of Valentine’s day, it seems there is some semblance of calm and might I say love? Happy Valentine’s day Nigeria.