The Lekki toll gate protest which started peacefully at about 8 am has just ended in disarray as protesters scampered for safety.
Vanguard reporter who was at the protest ground gathered that at about 11: 10am, Nigerian police started shooting at the protesters who had from the outset, conducted themselves in an orderly manners.
As a result of the shooting which also included teargas, there was commotion everywhere and the protesters were falling on each other as they run for safety.
Top Nigerian celebrities including Area Father, Charles Oputa also known as Charlie Boy, Falz, Segun Arinze, CDQ, among others were all seen in their moving cars while Charlie Boy was on his bicycle.
Despite heavy police presence at the venue, most of the protesters were all in their moving white buses and personal cars with Nigerian flags in their hands, moving gradually round Lekki phase and the next U turn, expressing their feelings to media men.
Speaking to Vanguard, one of the members of the Revolution Now, Sowore’s civil society group, Kehinde Steven, said: “We are here today to stand against injustice. It is not about ending of SARS, a lot has happened in the last one year, we have ended police brutality to an extent.
“We are here today to ask Buhari’s government, a failed government, a government of nepotism, injustice, hired killers and economic killer to step aside. “APC and PDP have failed us. So, Nigerian youths are not only asking for Endsars we are asking for restructuring and a better government. Buhari promised us change, since 2015 and now, he has done nothing, Buhari must go.
“Nigeria youths are here today to honor the departed souls that the Nigerian armed forces killed last year October.
“We are here to stay in solidarity for the departed souls, we are also here to stand for our rights and liberty, that’s why Nigerian youths came out en mass, not only in Lekki Toll gate but all over Nigeria.”
Another protester who identified her name as Temilola Olayemi, said: “We are not fighting the government but injustice. We need good government.”
Also Brayan said: “My friend died, no be play we come play, my papa sef na police, I still come outside I no fear.”
Also speaking, Lead Councel to some of the protesters last year, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, said: “The protest is successful so far. I would have loved these guys to be on foot. They have done well and some people have come down, this is the spirit.
“It is important to inform Nigerians that this democracy, the one we call the fourth republic was born on the blood, sweat, tears and bones of people.
Babangida, Abacha, Sonekan were not prepared to go, they were forced to go and it was people that protested. And a lot of people died and many were victimised.
“Now, we have the democracy and a civilian government which participated in the street protest against a sitting government is now trying to intimidate us. We will be bastards if we allow that. It is their duty and it is our responsibility to ensure that we continue to agitate against suppression,” Ogunlana said.
