What’s going on?
Yesterday, the Edo State Government announced the imposition of a 24-hour curfew across the state with effect from 4:00 pm, Monday, October 19, 2020, till further notice following the ‘alleged attacks’ carried out by hoodlums unconnected to the #EndSARS protests. It was announced after suspected hoodlums, on Monday morning ‘allegedly’ attacked a maximum-security prison in Benin City and freed the inmates.
1.
Edo govt declares 24-hour curfew
The Edo State Government hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice.
The curfew is to take effect from 4pm, today, October 19, 2020.
— Godwin Obaseki (GGO) (@GovernorObaseki) October 19, 2020
24 hours later and the Lagos State Government has followed suit, announcing the imposition of a one-day curfew starting at 4 pm today. The abrupt announcement was made by the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu via his official Twitter handle.
Dear Lagosians,
I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella
…— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 20, 2020
Practically, the curfew order by the government could result in physical protests suspended indefinitely. These measures by the government had long been anticipated by activists and online protestors as the next step authorities would take to delay or prevent acceptance of the demands of the protestors under the guise of restoring law and order.
Peaceful protesters have also feared that their cause could be hijacked by more violent elements, and their fears have been confirmed. There have been stories of harassment, extortion, and violence and regrettably, the police force that is meant to protect peaceful protests has been negligent and complicit to these acts of violence against protesters in a bid to stop the protests.
Let it be known by the world that MC Oluomo and Baba Alado sent thugs to Alausa to disrupt the peaceful protest holding on there. Those thugs boarded in Lagos State owned BRT buses And police did nothing about it. #AlausaProtest #EndSWAT
— Imported Alhaji 🦅 (@ImportedAlhaji) October 15, 2020
The timing of the order is also peculiar. It gives Lagosians stuck in standstill traffic less than 4 hours notice to return to their homes or otherwise risk customary harassment by the Police which typically arises during citywide lockdowns. The exact sort of conduct the protests are addressing in the first place.
4pm curfew while people are already outside? You didn’t announce it in the evening so people just stay in? The very law enforcement we’re protesting will now go out and harass people to go home when most can’t get home for 4?
These people are not thinking. At all. #EndSARS
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 20, 2020
One thing is clear: people across the country are calling for an end of abuse — perpetrated by police or politicians, curfew or not. The only solution is for the government to offer what the #EndSARS protesters truly want- a comprehensive reform in policing and law enforcement and tackle the problem of insecurity in Nigeria.
So what next?
The sudden curfew announcements may buy time for the government but it also gives time to the #ENDSARS Protestors to regroup, restrategize and come up with ways to continue their legitimate protests with renewed enthusiasm and safely when the curfew expires.
In the meantime, retweet, retweet, and retweet! Online protests can continue in earnest indoors and we at SociaLiga support the rights of all Nigerians to physically or virtually peacefully protest.
Fellow online protesters, where are you? Let’s show them why we are the pressing phone generation! #sorosoke
If you know they can’t stop us from doing our #EndSars protest online, retweet!!! #ENDBADGOVERNANCE— Omoni Oboli (@Omonioboli) October 20, 2020
Stay Safe Everyone!
#ENDSARS #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY