A twenty-four-hour curfew imposed by governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State late Tuesday has failed to douse the tension and rage of the ongoing #EndSARS protest in the state. The governor on Wednesday extended the curfew to 72 hours.
Rather, the commercial city has been engulfed by fire and fury, as angry youths go on rampage. Buildings, buses and hotels have been set on fire by irate youths who are taking advantage of the protests that have spread across the nation for almost 14 days.
At the Lekki Toll gate on Tuesday night, just before the takeoff of the curfew, soldiers stormed the protesters who had occupied the popular location and began shooting. Real-time videos that later went viral showed sustained gunfire coming from the shooting, with some of the protesters scampering away.
Others stood, singing “EndSARS. EndSARS,” as the soldiers could be seen firing into the air.
There were conflicting reports on the outcome of shooting with some saying that as some of the protesters were killed and many wounded.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a broadcast Wednesday said that 30 protested were wounded, and that there were no casualties. He had those who were admitted to differed hospitals in the state.
Reacting to the reports of the Tollgate shooting, the governor said: “This maybe the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make notes in our history, but we will face it.
“As a father and Governor, I watched in anguish the unacceptable events that occurred last night at the Lekki tollgate.
“The decision to impose curfew was borne out of concern for innocent protesters and the entire citizenry of our dear state. It will be foolhardy for leader to try to protect his citizens and still turnaround to out their lives at risk. However, this is not the time to trade blames. We will take in our stride and move,” the governor said.
There have been report of shooting a the Lekki Toll Plaza, following the 24 hours curfew imposed by on Lagos sate to sate to stop criminals who hid under the #Endsars protests to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.
A statement by the government said governor had ordered an investigation into the incident.
It said governor Sanwo-Olu had advised the security agents not to arrest anyone on account of the curfew, which he urges residents to observe for the peaceful atmosphere we all cherish.
“The governor will do everything within his power to ensure that lives of all Lagosains are protected at all times,” the statement said.
He also advised Lagosians to remain calm and not allow criminals, who had hijacked the noble protest of our gallant youths, to succeed in the evil plan of turning our dear state upside down
However, the Nigerian Army has said that none of its officers were at Lekki where the shooting took place. But live videos from the scene show men dressed in NA uniform shooting into the crowd. There have also been allegation that the Army seized the bodies for those killed in the shooting.
But the response by hoodlums to the some have termed the Lekki Tollgate Massacre has continued to reverberate across the state.
The BRT Terminus at Oyingbo was set on fire by youths this Wednesday morning. Smoke and fire could be seen bellowing out of burning buses at the terminal.
A female voice on the video says that the youths were angry because “two of their brothers were gunned down this morning.”
Hoodlums have also set the Nigeria Port Authority building ablaze in protest against the killing of peaceful young protesters by soldiers at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos on Tuesday night. Online pictures showed the building, located on Marina in central Lagos, on fire. The fire started from the base of the seven-story building.
A source familiar with the story said the attacker accessed the building through the car park. They first over-powered the security men on duty, including the Fire Service personnel.
The attackers were said to have proceeded by burning all the cars parked there, which included newly bought Prado Jeeps bought for the directors, which were yet to the distributed to them.
Similarly, irate youths on Wednesday set ablaze the family home of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Omididun Street, throwing stones at the house.
Sanwo-Olu had imposed a curfew on the state due to the #EndSARS protests. Soldiers were subsequently called in and eyewitnesses claimed seven persons, mostly youths, died in the attack.
Eyewitnesses said one of the youths holding a jerry can of petrol was seen soaking the house in petrol but was quickly stopped by residents for fear that the fire could spread uncontrollably.
Moments after, however, the youths succeeded in burning down the house.
The eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Around 7.45am, angry youths gathered around Sanwo-Olu’s family home on Omididun Street, Lagos Island, throwing stones and shattering glasses.
“One of the youths poured petrol on the building but was immediately prevented from setting it ablaze because the fire could spread and lead to loss of lives.
“However, the youths soon gathered again and burnt down the house. The fire is currently spreading but firefighters have arrived at the scene.”
It was learnt that policemen attached to the Adeniji Adele Police Station had raced to the scene in a bid to quell the violence.
The burning and looting were also extended to branches of three banks in Lekki, Lagos were razed by hoodlums on Tuesday night, as army shot protesters in the arear.
The bank branches are located on the Admiralty Way in Lekki.
The attackers also burnt and looted business premises, shopping malls and shops.
The hoodlums have also set fire to Television Continental, known for short as TVC.
The station is located at Ketu, Lagos, and is associated with Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, who is the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The hoodlums were said to have attacked the station when a popular talkshow programme, YourView, was on.
The programme host, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, who said the hoodlums entered in a van, asked to go on a commercial break. Since then, the station has been off air.
The attackers were said to have set on fire vehicles belonging to the staff of the station before setting the building on fire.
There are videos circulating online showing smoke billowing out of the building.
Staff of the at the station said the assailants set fire to the station over its connection to Tinubu.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, has been boiling since Tuesday night after soldiers attacked protesters at the Lekki Toll gate and allegedly opened fire on them, with seven killed and many injured.
These incidents happened on Tuesday night following shootings by security agents at #EndSARS protesters demonstrating against police brutality at the Lekki tollgate area.
The #EndSARS protests rocking the country have continued for almost two weeks with youths calling for a lasting reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
Protests that started peacefully protests have been hijacked by hoodlums who have wreaked havoc on citizens and vandalised public assets in Lagos, Benin, Abuja, Ekiti, Jos, Ibadan, Akure, amongst other major cities.
At least three police stations were set ablaze in Lagos on Tuesday.
