Kunle Adelabu
-State demands
The leadership of the ongoing nationwide protest, #EndSARS Protest, in lkorodu has stated that their protests have been peaceful and well coordinated since it;s took off about two weeks ago.
They spoke with THE IMPACT on the organisation of the protests in Ikorodu and Ipakodo.
They also stated that the ongoing protest is not just about #EndSARS (proscription of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad established by the Federal government ) but also about bad governance, high cost of living, corruption and demand for reform in the country.
Contrary to the allegations that the #EndSAR protest has turned violent in Ikorodu, it was gathered that the crisis at Ogolonoto/Agric axis in the last three days was due to the land and supremacy battles between road unions and cult groups respectively.
THE IMPACT gathered that attempts by some hoodlums brought into the area to loot Justrite mall was resisted by the local boys during the mayhem and this, according to report, resulted in free for all fight among the hoodlums.
The main centre of the #EndSARS protest in Ikorodu division, which has been hosting thousands of protesters on daily basis, is Ikorodu garage roundabout, while Police Post in Ebute, Oseni/Basorun junction in Igbogbo and Imota are serving as protest points in Ikorodu West, Igbogbo/Bayeku and lmota Local Council Development Area (LCDAs) respectively.
Youths have also been gathering at Itamaga roundabout since the commencement of the protest.
Comrade Adedeji Fatuga, a leading facilitator of the protest in Ikorodu and founder of the Ikorodu Ambassadors Group, speaking with THE IMPACT at the protest ground at the Ikorodu roundabout, debunked allegations in some quarters that the protest has been hijacked in Ikorodu by hoodlums. .
He also stated pockets of violence recorded are not connected with the protest.
“The pockets of violence recorded at Idiroko/Ogolonto axis are not as a result of the #EndSARS protest.
“A source told me that N1 Million was given to a faction of area boys when a piece of land was purchased by a man in the area and that another faction decided to demand a share of the money.That was how the incident started”, Fatuga said.
“But this afternoon, at the protest ground at Ikorodu Garage roundabout, a thug came to treat his wound in the Ambulance that was provided for us and I asked him where he sustained the wound and he said it was during the clash at Idiroko/Ogolonto/Majidun axis.
“He also said that the incident it was not about any N1 million naira but about a fight between NURTW members which he said later turned into cult Clash”, Fatuga said while confirming our reporter’s findings.
Speaking on the protesters’ demands, Fatuga said:
“Our demands are very simple. We want positive results.
“We are demanding the prosecution of Police officers that have committed offences, electricity tariffs reduction, good health care, more and quality schools, job opportunities and Infrastructures”, he said.
He said that the protest in Ikorodu will continue as long as protests continue in other parts of the state.
“The protest at Ikorodu Garage roundabout will continue as long as protesters are still gathering in Abuja, Alausa and Lekki.
Victor Cyril, the Coordinator of #EndSARSNow #EndPoliceBrutality #ReformNow in Ipakodo in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, said that Ipakodo youths joined other youths in other parts of the country to seek for good governance in a peaceful way.
“The whole country is protesting for #EndSARSNow #GoodGovernance and we cannot be left out of that, that is why we are also gathering here to lend our voices to the protest for better Nigeria in a civil and non – violent way.
“What we are doing here is not different from what is happening in Ikorodu, Lekki, Edo, Oyo. We are canvassing for Nigeria one voice, one dream and better and prosperous nation.
“We are protesting within the confine of the constitution.
“You can see that we are not violent here. Protests here start at 8.00am in the morning and closes by 6.00pm in the evening. This is our way of operating when we can see ourselves. This is our way of curbing any form of social vices.
“What we are protesting against is not an end to SARS alone, but also against ‘killing’ electricity tariff, bad roads, inhumane minimum wage, high cost of food, unemployment, insecurity.
“We want total change at the federal, state and council levels. Our Senators, Representatives, Assembly men and Councilors must change. We also want to enjoy the wealth of the country that we are working for.
“We are tired of being slaves in our country. We want total change”.
