The #EndSARS protest took a different dimension on Friday night as Nigerian youths came out en masse with burning candles in remembrance of the victims of extra-judicial killings and police brutality.
The candle light session was held across all of the many protest venues in the country and the hashtag FallenHeroes was one of the trended keywords on Twitter as protesters flooded their handles with emotional tributes in many ways.
https://twitter.com/manweysabii/status/1317175173829840899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1317175173829840899%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_1&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theheritagetimes.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D2095action%3Dedit
Video clips of the event which made rounds on social media showed concerned Nigerians – both Christians and Muslims – offering prayers for souls that fell victim to police brutality in the country.
https://twitter.com/Real_AdaKing/status/1317366043304742912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1317366043304742912%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_1&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theheritagetimes.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D2095action%3Dedit
In Lagos, the session was nothing different from what was seen in the other states as the protesters sang in tune with the rendition from various instruments while holding placards with the inscriptions ‘End SARS.’
Some Nigerian celebrities joined the candle lights processions as they took to their Twitter handles to pay tributes to the departed souls.
https://twitter.com/ReekadoBanks/status/1317110417987112960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1317110417987112960%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_1&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theheritagetimes.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D2095action%3Dedit
https://twitter.com/PeterPsquare/status/1317174231566815234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1317174231566815234%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_0&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theheritagetimes.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D2095action%3Dedit
@SAMKLEF also tweeted, “Heal Naija and make it a better place. May all our fallen heroes keep resting in peace.”
Also, @iAmNiyiola wrote, “RIP to our fallen heroes. Tonight and always we celebrate you. #EndsSARSNOW.”
Some of the names of the victims of SARS/police killings were called at the session including Jimoh Isiaq who was killed last Sunday by a stray bullet during an #EndSARS protest in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Other victims honoured at the event were Kolade Johnson, Daniel Chibuike (aka Sleek), Ayomide Taiwo, Peter Ofurum, Chika Ibeku, Chibuike Anams, Ifeoma Abugu, Christian Onuigbo, Emmanuel Egbo, and Victor Maduamago.
Others were Chidi Odinauwa, Stephen Agbanyim, Tony Oruama, Tiamiyu Kazeem, Mus’ab Sammani, Onovo Matthew, Chinedu Ani, Precious Odua, Richard Gora, and Chijioke Iloanya.
Also honoured were Linda Igwetu, Daniel Tella, Harry Ataria, Johnson Nnaemeka, Femi Bello, Chima Ikwunado, Godgift Ekerete, Gabriel Owoicho, Tina Ezekwe, Modebayo Awosika, Daniel Adewuyi, Chukwuemeka Matthew, Chika Ibeku, Azuamak Maduemago, and Rinji Bala Uzziel.
Others were Joseph Ugbeni, Anita Akapson, Chibuike Ikeaguchi, Ifeanyi Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Augustina Arebu, Anthony Nwokike, Paulinus Ogbonna, Ekena Megbe, Emeka Ojinze, Ademola Moshood, Ismaila Ayinla, and Joy Ndubueze.
Since the commencement of the protest, there have been reported incidents of attacks on lives and destruction of vehicles by some group of unidentified armed men alleged to be politically sponsored thugs.
In the wake of the vigil, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo issued a statement on Friday night, apologizing to the EndSARS protesters and assuring that comprehensive justice would be meted out to killer members of the disbanded SARS.
Osibanjo also assured that none of the former members of the disbanded SARS would be drafted into any tactical units of the police.
