Buhari regime sent thugs, prisoners to disrupt #EndSARS protest: Soyinka
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka says the historic nationwide #EndSARS protests that led to the scrapping of the brutish police unit was disrupted by thugs and prisoners unleashed on young Nigerians by the Muhammadu Buhari regime.
In an interview with the UK Guardian over the weekend, Mr Soyinka said he was delighted that the younger generation, whom he considered as lazy and in need of salvation, “took on these brutes called the SARS. And of course, it wasn’t just the SARS.”
Describing the protest as “an expression of discontent” by the younger generation, Mr Soyinka said the protest, however, ended on a depressing note as sponsored “thugs took over”.
“To see this structured movement, I felt rejuvenated. I said: “At last, it’s happening,” and then what happened? The thugs took over. The villains took over. The underworld got in on the act. Prisoners were let loose. It was very depressing,” Mr Soyinka said.
The demands of #EndSARS protesters included the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian police notorious for extortion and extra-judicial killings, justice for SARS victims and compensation for families of police brutality, among others.
Nigerians witnessed state-sponsored thugs attack protesters during the historic #EndSARS protests championed by young Nigerians last year.
The protest ended on a sad note as Nigerian soldiers opened live rounds on protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, on October 20, 2020
One year after the Buhari regime promised to meet the protesters’ demands, with states constituting judicial panels on the matter, there’s been no reasonable outcome.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Olubadan lauds Tinubu on release of Oriire kidnap victims, urges rehabilitation
“As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all communities bordering the National Park are fully secure,” he said.
Heading 1
Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge over father’s assassination by U.S.-Israeli forces
“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” he said.
Heading 4
Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story
The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
Heading 2
Klopp agrees to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach
Nagelsmann resigned last week as the men’s national team coach following Germany’s shocking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Health
FG expands cancer funding, local drug production
“We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he said.
Heading 3
Remi Tinubu begs Asake, Davido, Burna Boy to come rescue poor Nigerians from hunger
The first lady stated that buying exotic cars is good, but noted that the singers can still establish foundations to assist the struggling population.
