On the 14th of October 2020, Abuja youths converged yet again at the agreed protest location, Berger under bridge, for the #EndSARS #EndSWAT peaceful protest.
While singing Aluta songs and shouting #EndSARS, thugs came by to disrupt the protest. Armed with big sticks and daggers, they began chasing peaceful protesters and destroying cars of other innocent Nigerians in traffic.
While some protesters scampered for safety, others chased the thugs, caught them, disarmed them, and beat them. After which they took them to the hospital for treatment, fed them, and interrogated them. Turns out they were hired and sent to cause mayhem at the protests.
What's most absurd is that they were paid 1500 Naira for the deed.
You would expect that the tales and experience from the morning batch will deter youths from showing up again. But in the afternoon, another set resumed to pick up from where they left off calling for an end to police brutality. The protesters were in full swing and their voices loud and clear- "End SARS, End SWAT."
It began raining and the second batch of thugs showed up again with the same goal and they received the same treatment meted out to their predecessors. The peaceful protesters who were hurt are currently receiving treatment. There's a fund set up to fix their cars and some brands have stepped up to help fix broken phones.
A new venue and menu for today have been communicated and we will attend again because:
"We get coconut head. We no dey hear word"