Six years ago today at the Lekki Tollgate, young Nigerians sat peacefully with Nigerian flags in their hands, the national anthem on their lips, demanding an end to police brutality. They were met with live fire.
The Lagos Judicial Panel petitions which I funded on behalf of many victims, later described the events of that night in strong terms. Lives were lost & others living with permanent injuries.
I will continue to seek the full implementation of the white papers of the 2021 rulings from the panel to honor the victims. Human outcomes, not political exploitation is the objective surrounding the struggle.
As someone who works and does business in Lekki, that night still sits heavy. Those streets are familiar and the people who gathered there could have been anyoneโs son, daughter, sibling, or friend.
We must never forget and we must never allow the conditions that made such a tragedy possible to remain unaddressed.
Remembrance is not hostility. It is the minimum respect we owe the fallen and the living. A few times during the year, I reach out to Mrs Ibanga in Uyo & Mrs Abideen in Osapa, mothers of two victims (Sunday & Lekan) to check on their well being.
May their memories push us toward a Nigeria where the right to peaceful protest is protected, continued police reforms are implemented , youth opportunities are created and one where every life matters.
#EndSARS #LekkiTollGate #NeverForget