Going by what transpired between October 8, of the EndSARS protest till the massacre of innocent residents of Obigbo, do you still doubt the bold figures that a particular section of people was meant to suffer for the sins of many? The bible story of how Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world could have been in repeated mode as well.
The story I’m about to tell you is not another repetition of another crucifixion of Christ, but a real life story that will require your attention while we ride.
Firstly, on Saturday 3 October 2020, a video showing a SARS police officer shooting a young Nigerian in front of Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State trended on the Internet. It was said that the police officers took away the young man’s vehicle – a Lexus SUV. The trending video caused public outcry on social media, especially on Twitter, with the #ENDSARS hashtag trending.
Just as the ENDSARS trend began on Twitter, on Monday 5 October 2020, another report surfaced of SARS officers killing a 20-year-old upcoming musician named Daniel Chibuike, popularly called Sleek in his neighborhood. Sleek was said to be sitting in front of a hotel with a friend when the SARS officers approached them, prompting them to flee. According to an eyewitness, the SARS men pursued the pair, shouting “thief”, before shooting Sleek as they ran through a supermarket. His friend was arrested.
On Saturday, 10 October 2020, the #EndSARS protest started from the Ekiugbo section of Ughelli, Delta State, went through the Ughelli Market, Ughelli Area Command and Isoko Road.
Before then the first demonstration has been held in Lagos, as Nigerian youths protested at the Lagos State Governor’s House on Thursday 8 October and slept at the gate of the government house till Friday 9 October 2020 when the Deputy Governor addressed the protesters. Among the Lagos State EndSARS Protesters were celebrities Falz, Runtown, Don Jazzy, Olu Jacobs, Eedris Abdulkareem and a host of others including several comedians and other media personalities.
This analysis I believe will help you get to the root of the problem. The EndSARS protest quickly escalated as the Federal Government continued to play politics with the protesters’ demands. More still, the police became brutal thinking they would intimidate the protesters. As days head on, the military began to give notice, stating that they will soon let loose their bullets on the protesters.
However, the protest was giving much momentum in the West more than in the East. The northerners were actually not in support of the protest because it has not in any way affected them. For the records, no Northerner has been brutalized by SARS, so it was in their own favor if SARS could continue its brutal operations on other citizens.
On hearing of a planned protest in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike quickly warned against any form of protest, according to him, the Federal Government has promised to disband SARS, so there was no need for further protest. Amidst this warning, Rivers State was crowded the next day, popular BB9ja star, Tacha and music Icon Omah Lay were present during the protest.
To cut this story short, October 20 became the massacre day. Innocent protesters were shot dead by the Nigerian soldiers; their blood soaked in the green white green flag. With this action, the youths became enraged; they resorted to burning down properties.
Same Army and police brutality came down to the east. Obigbo became the heart of revenge and Nyesom Wike became the willing tool. Wike did not only give his people, he also gave his soul, and I’ll tell you why.
On 21 October, some Northerners in Rivers, Yam market precisely, turned a peaceful protest into a fight. Due to their inability to read, they had taken the endsars protest personal thereby, attacking the protesters. The already enraged protesters defended themselves and in the process, there were injuries on both sides.
In the process of intervening, the police took the side of the Northerners by arresting the protesters. Seeing the intimidation, the protesters began to destroy police stations and other government-owned properties.
In this process, there were casualties on both sides. The protesters could have acted in defense, while the security agencies acted to kill and brutalize as usual.
However, the bone of contention here is how it was twisted and blamed on IPOB members who were not even at the scene of this very event. The truth is, the protest was a nationwide protest and security agencies were killed as much as protesters were also killed in different parts of the country.
Governor Wike took it personally and unleashed his dogs on innocent Igbo residents in Obigbo. Claims that IPOB killed security agents were untrue, because Tacha, Omah Lay and other known celebrities who appeared in the protest were not IPOB members.
And even though it was true, where is his evidence? And even if there were evidences, which court ordered for their arrest warrant, and if there was, I thought a court would have addressed the issue and then convicted them before the execution? But here, Wike decided to be the governor, the judge and the executioner.
Also, why was Wike partially sympathetic with the alleged killed soldiers and police officers whereas armless protesters were shot dead? Well, maybe he thinks that the protesters are not humans like the killed officers, or maybe he has forgotten that those lads have families probably kids too.
Wike’s actions are so clear, you don’t have to doubt the fact that a protest that commenced in faraway West is being paid for in Obigbo. Deliberately, the media has turned a blind eye and deaf ears to the cries of people who are being held against their wish.
Before I stop this piece, it should be on notice that what transpired in Nigeria within these few days has been heavily paid for by the Igbo youths, men, women and children who knew nothing about it. Yes! They paid with their lives, tears and blood. #Obigbo Massacre can never be forgotten.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
