By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
#EndSARS trends with more than 90,000 people quoting the hashtag in their tweet. They are using it to remember those slain during the protest for the dissolution of the dreaded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), and generally as a rallying cry against the government’s harsh policies.
On Nigeria’s Independence Day, #EndSARS brought to the fore, the event of October 20, 2020, when protesters at the Lekki Tollgate were killed by soldiers. Nigerians are using the occasion of the country’s Independence Day anniversary to trend the killings.
@90sSophie said: “Today Independence Day and Nigeria being 61 without progress, this is our National anthem #EndSARS. Retweet massively when you see this.”
@EditiEffiong said: “None of us are free until all of us are free. Today, we remember the souls lost to state-sanctioned violence in Nigeria #EndSARS.”
@AishaYesufu also said: “We will not forget the massacre of 20-10-2020 by the Nigerian government led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Professor Yemi Osinbajo. #EndSARS. #LekkiMassacre.”
@sarcasm_presh said: “Nigerians have never been more United than during #EndSARS. Brother literally looking out for brother and sister donating to help sister. Friends risking their lives to make sure another friend doesn’t go through police brutality. The real fight for INDEPENDENCE. NigeriaAt61”
@AbdulMahmud01 says: “Today, at the 61st anniversary of Nigeria’s “independence”, I pay homage to all the martyrs of our peoples struggles – Aba women, Iva Valley, COLA protest, anti-SAP protests, ACAREF protest, Oil-subsidy protests & #EndSARS. May their blood continue to water our tree of liberty,”