#END SARS SUNDAY, OCTOBER1 NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE

VOICES FROM THE STREET PROTEST! WANTON DESTRUCTION OF #CARNAGEANDLOOTINGS ! S E C E I P E H T P U G N I K C I P #CARNAGEANDLOOTINGS LAGOS HIGH COURT IGBOSERE COURT HIGH LAGOS LAGOS CITY HALL CITY LAGOS OF LAGOS PALACE LAGOS OF OBA CONTENT THE CARNAGE AND THE BEING OUR BROTHER’S SPOILS PG 4-6 KEEPER PG 18-19

SOME VICTIMS OF THE THE GOOD DEEDS OF CARNAGE PG 8-14 THE PROTESTERS PG 20

SOME OF THE MORE PEOPLE’S DESTRUCTION OF EXPERIENCES PG 22 PROPERTIES PG 16-17

It’s by now a well-worn script world over: faced with social injustices and unaddressed grievances, mass numbers of people mobilize to protest publicly, and sometimes that action is hijacked by hoodlums who take advantage of the situation to express acts of violence and vandalism. This is what happened with the recent wanton destruction of . The STYLE team report...

During these turbulent times, there were many videos flying around. Some of them real, some of them fake. Amidst the videos was one of Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El Rufai where THISDAY STYLE he spoke about about the ‘quality or lack thereof’ of elected officials meant to serve the FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR people who voted them into power. He went further to state that there are many ‘bad people’ in politics simply because the ‘good people’ don’t want to get their hands dirty RUTH OSIME 08111847085 in the murky waters of politics. This comment did not come as a surprise because there EDITOR PRINT is bitter truth in what he said. After all, how do we expect the change we yearn for if we OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI 08111847086 are not willing to get into the battlefield and fight for it? How many of us have been to meetings in our various constituencies to stay abreast and play a significant role in the EDITOR DIGITAL voting processes of our representatives. If intellectually savvy people are not involved at KONYE NWABOGOR 08111847087 this level how do we expect to have an impact at the much higher level? Yes, the thought of plunging into a terrain like politics is most daunting to say the least SENIOR ART DESIGNER but we need that courage, we need the determination and we need the adequate support MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 required for any educated, well exposed person that decides to come forward. Only then, can we begin to break down this invisible wall between the enlightened and educated against CONTRIBUTORS the primitive and backward. This difference played a major role in the hijacking of the recent peaceful RUKY SALAKO #endsars protests. The young, mostly educated youths turned out enmasse to fight for change. But aside from these ISIOMA USIADE youths, where those who only understand the language their hungry stomachs dictated to them. The former, with good intentions and IYANU AYODELE highly altruistic motives unfortunately took no notice of the latter factor. The latter, largely hopeless, deranged, emotively motivated who hugely have nothing to live for, simply destroyed the scientific efforts of 12 days anchored and nurtured by the former, in just two GUEST CORRESPONDENTS days. They created the ‘torture room’ of the otherwise peaceful protesters. Warehouses were looted. Shops were looted. Buildings were AZUKA OGUJIUBA burnt. Historical monuments ravaged. Businesses that took many years to build, were destroyed in hours! Who do you blame? The ZINA ANUMUDU impoverished youths, or the country that made them monsters? JOANNA MACGREGOR Now the storm is over, the ruins remain staring us in the face. A stark reality of the reflection of the times. We watch our government SEYI ALAWODE squirm and try to put the spilt milk back in the can. Not possible. They have stirred the hornets nest and we watch as they try to or at least ‘seem’ to try to correct their wrong albeit still failing woefully. PHOTOGRAPHER This is a wake up call. The youths now realize getting the they want is in their hands. We can only pray and watch as their goal TY BELLO unfolds. They have age on their side. I pray for a Nigeria that they will, one day, be proud DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION to call ‘their own’ in time to come! CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196 Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Twitter: @thisdaystyleon | Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Website: www.thisdaystyle.ng FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR THISDAY Style THISDAY Style COVER Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 COVER Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

#carnageandlootings Before After THE CARNAGE AND THE SPOILS BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

It’s by now a well-worn script world over: faced with social injustices and unaddressed grievances, mass HIGH COURT OF LAGOS numbers of people mobilize to protest publicly, and sometimes that action is hijacked by hoodlums who take advantage of the situation to express acts of violence and vandalism. This, right here, was the situation with the #endsars movement in Lagos, as what began as a protest against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad become a conduit for hoodlums to negatively vent their anger by carrying Before After out attacks which ranged from arson, destruction of properties, and looting of valuables in the state. It was like a raging volcano exploded as the streets were filled with hoodlums destroying and looting everything in sight without a care in the world. For once, they had the chance to vent out their frustrations by a government that failed them. A government that did not care about the common man. A government that has reduced them to a state of no return. A government they were determined to bring to its knees so their anger could be felt and their lamentations heard. Never in the has the state witnessed such carnage that made all the inhabitants quiver with fear. No one felt safe in their homes. No one could step out. All we saw were videos of properties destroyed and reduced to rumbles. The pictures sent a harrowing chill down the spine of all who saw and watched in amazement as the destructions and lootings took place. It was a free for all carnage spree and the fact that so much damage could be done within a short space of time felt like the state was at war with its citizens. A war that strongly tilted in the favour of the hoodlums because like an angry enraged lion, hungry for blood, they could not be pacified. They wanted blood. At all costs! Within 48 hours, the hoodlums destroyed properties, businesses and valuables worth billions of naira. Some of them landmark locations and historical monuments. PALACE While these structures might be easy to rebuild, the historical assets which surround these monuments are forever lost. The destruction of property and injuring of innocent people is not only a perversion of our Constitutional freedoms but also a perversion of the peaceful demonstrations by those attempting to get police reforms. While we heal as a nation, we should bear this in mind and also heed to the wise words of the great Martin Luther King Jr; “The strong man is the man who will not hit back, who can stand up for his rights and yet not hit back.”

Before After

BRIEF HISTORY OF DESTROYED MONUMENTS

CITY HALL Built by Lagos State Government in 1900. Demolished in 1998. Rebuilt in 2009. The Lagos City Hall, established in 1900, was the secretariat of the oldest local government in Nigeria. It is located within the Brazilian quarters, right in the center of the Lagos business district. Re-modelled and renovated to its present modern look by the Babatunde Fashola administration, it is now a major event center and tourist attraction. The City Hall used to be the local government headquarters with other area offices serving the entire local governments in colonial Lagos and after Nigeria’s independence. The City hall was the fountain of local government administration in Nigeria and the secretariat of the local government, the doyen of Nigeria’s native or grassroots administration The City Hall Lagos is a historical monument of enviable architectural grandeur, a symbol of the rich culture of the Lagos Island people, and the latest address for exclusive events, entertainment and tourism. LAGOS CITY HALL

4 5 THISDAY Style STYLE & DESIGN THISDAY Style COVER Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 #carnageandlootings

BRIEF HISTORY OF DESTROYED MONUMENTS

LAGOS HIGH COURT Built in 1967, the same year Lagos state was formed. Oldest and most recognizable Judicial Building In Nigeria. The Lagos City Hall, established in 1900, was the secretariat of the oldest local government in Nigeria. It is located within the Brazilian quarters, right in the center of the Lagos business district. Re-modelled and renovated to its present modern look by the Babatunde Fashola administration, it is now a major event center and tourist attraction. The City Hall used to be the local government headquarters with other area offices serving the entire local governments in colonial Lagos and after Nigeria’s independence. The City hall was the fountain of local government administration in Nigeria and the secretariat of the Lagos Island local government, the doyen of

Nigeria’s native or grassroots administration SENIOR STAFF OF THE FEDERAL LEGAL DEPARTMENT (NOW FEDERAL The City Hall Lagos is a historical monument of enviable architectural grandeur, a symbol of the rich culture of MINISTRY OF JUSTICE)ON THE STEPS OF THE LAW COURTS BUILDING, the Lagos Island people, and the latest address for exclusive events, entertainment and tourism. LAGOS 1959

IGA IDUNGARAN OBA OF LAGOS PALACE The ancient palace was initially built around 1630 and the modern part was completed in 1960. The Portuguese added to the ancient building in 1670.

The Oba of Lagos’s Palace is also known as Iga Idugaran. Since the 15th century, it has been the official residence of the Oba of Lagos. It was originally owned by Lagos Island’s first inhabitant, Chief Aromire, who hailed from Ile-Ife and initially used the land on which the palace now stands, as a fishing post and pepper farm. The origin of the land on which it is built informs its name. Iga, in the ancient Oyo/Ife Yoruba language, means royal home; Idun means land; while Igaran, means pepper. Hence, Iga Iduganran translates to mean the palace being built on a pepper farm. The palace itself was built in 1670 for Oba Gabaro, the third Oba of Lagos by the Portuguese who brought in the building materials from their homeland. The palace was further rebuilt and commissioned on October 1, 1960 by the then Prime Minister of Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa. The palace underwent further modernization by the trio of Obas: Oba AdenijiAdele II, Oba II and Oba Akiolu.

CORPORATE PALLIATIVES AND DONATIONS

LAGOS STATE PROVIDES SUPPORT The Lagos state Government through the twitter handle of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, has announced that it will give support to all store owners whose stores were vandalized and looted when the #EndSARS protest was usurped by hoodlums in the Lagos metropolis. Hamzat explained that the support initiative will would be handled by the Lagos state employment trust fund (LSETF) and will provide relief for persons whose stores were affected as a result of the #EndSARS crisis. He tweeted “If you are a Lagos based business and your store got looted/vandalized this week, please fill this form by @LSETFhttps://t.co/lwPiXvFzTp. Lets do what we can to support you. This is welcoming initiative considering the havoc and effect of the widespread violence the hoodlums caused in the state.

DIAMOND ACCESS BANK INTEREST FREE LOANS FOR AFFECTED STORE OWNERS With the impact of Covid-19 pandemic followed by the hijack of the #EndSARS protests by hoodlums resulting in the looting and vandalisation of many SMEs and businesses, leading financial institution, Access bank, has commenced the disbursement of N50 billion interest- free loans and grants in support of Nigerians, communities, the youths, and micro, small and medium-sized businesses that were wrecked by hoodlums in the wake of the protest against police brutality in the country. The the institution says the loans would be targeted at customers of the financial institution across its Medium Small and Micro Entrepreneurs(MSME) business, commercial banking customers as well as corporate banking customers affected by the looting and arson. This loan will help alleviate and stimulate economic activities, as well as produce many positive multiplier effects on the Nigerian economy.

BEER SECTORAL GROUP STEPS UP TO HELP Following the looting and destruction of properties by hoodlums which ensued during the #EndSARS protest in Lagos, the Beer SectoralGroup (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has created a N50million fund to support those affected by looting and vandalisaion. A statement by the BSG, said: “Over the past few days, we have all witnessed the sad events that have taken place in our beloved country Nigeria. What commenced as a peaceful movement was overrun and became marred by violence, resulting in loss of lives and property across our nation. The Beer Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria is committed to Nigeria, to the inclusivity and to the valuing of each other. We, therefore, denounce the violence that has erupted across our nation and we want to lend a hand to support those rendered vulnerable as a result of this critical social issue.” The statement continued: “To this end, we hereby announce the creation of N50 million fund to support the victims and families of those affected by this crisis. BSG will be working with partner agencies to administer this fund. We know that this does not bring back the lives that have been lost or undo the injustice many have suffered, but we believe it is a step towards healing our vibrant nation and reinforce our commitment to contribute to the dialogue and action which can support a better Nigeria for everyone.”

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be useful to themselves. A strict punitive system should be put in place for Pen Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing business Robbers that will serve as a deterrent to us all. A system that does not tolerate owners who were victims of the Lagos carnage? corruption but that will punish offenders and looters of public funds no matter I assume the government is targetting those who suffered losses Post EndSars as how highly placed. well as those who may be eligible for the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund for which SOME VICTIMSof the government says a sum of N75b has been earmarked.

TITI BAKAARE CEO SAS Texiles Before CARNAGEBY AZUKA OGUJIUBA One of the casualties of the recent carnage and destruction of Lagos were business owners whose shops were It must have been so painful to see so many years of labour started picking up again after the attacked and their goods stolen. An attack like that was devastating to them and their years of hard sweat and and sweat destroyed in a few short hours. What is the Covid 19 pandemic. labour was reduced to debris in just a few hours! This dastardly act alone needless to say has reduced their morale extent of your loss? as victims of the hijack of the peaceful protest. STYLE reaches out to some of the people who ran their business in the SAS Textiles is a second generation family run business In moving forward, what extra Circle Mall in the Lekki axis and this was what they had to say about their predicament. which was founded by our late mother over 40 years ago. So as measures are you putting in place you can imagine, the loss cannot only be quantified in terms of cash. to better guard you against such What we lost was our hard earned sweat built up over three decades. Our two occurrences in future? After Before stores were looted and destroyed, one in Lennox Mall in Lekki and the other in The effects of the Covid 19 pandemic Adeniran Ogunsanya shopping centre . SAS sells lace fabrics from the best followed by the looting from ENDSARS protests, YOMI MAKUN CEO YOMI CASUAL manufacturers in Austria, Switzerland and different countries so you can imagine have made a lot of business owners rethink their the value of the fabrics looted. Not only were the fabrics stolen, the stores were business models. We are beginning to rethink the It must have been very painful to see many years of hardwork raising funds for this. It is just destroyed and some of the shop fittings taken. They even had time to remove our cost effectiveness of extensive brick and mortar destroyed in just few hours! What, approximately, is the value one of those things. Life goes air conditioners, phones, Computer systems, Cctv etc. l could go on but in all, this we stores and look more toward an on line presence. of your loss? on. have chosen to count our blessings and Thank God for life. The extent of the damage The value of added security that we thought we Funny how I can’t really place value on those things and I can’t really runs into several millions. had from locating our shops in purpose built say that this is the amount of stuff that was moved from my space. What In moving forward what measures shopping malls, has proven to be non existent l place value on is the space because that was where I started. Even losing a pin are you putting in place to better guard you against After Amidst all this, who is you anger directed at? Those who committed the crime or and we are certainly going to have to re-evaluate from that store will still hurt cause it not about the money. I lost mannequins that I such occurrences in future? those who pushed them to it? this strategy. In one of the malls affected, all started with way back that I valued so much and also machines that reminded me My advice for everybody that was affected is to just I cannot describe my feelings in terms of anger alone. After the initial shock and shop owners came together and decided to take from where I started. So it is really painful but I have come to realize that a lot of double the security. You cannot just have a glass with no disbelief at the extent of the destruction, not only to our properties but to the whole responsibility and evaluate the loop holes. people lost more than I did. proper burglary to protect your space anymore because mall, feelings of anger began to set in. However these feelings quickly gave way Lastly, insurance and the extent of our we more concerned about beauty at the time. Most of our to pain, not just because of our loss. but pain for our country Nigeria and for the insurance cover for incidents like this will have to be reviewed as most store How did you feel and who is your anger directed at, the looters or those who shops are not insured and even if they are, the Insurance hopelessness felt by the youths that would lead them to perpetuate such acts of owners don’t even have Insurance. put the hoodlums in that condition to do what they did? company in Nigeria can not to be trusted. So my advice violence and destruction. I really felt bad, because when someone sent the video to my wife, she did not to those who lost their properties is that while trying to But after a while, we entered into God’s Rest and Peace, evacuated what was left What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with know how to tell me but she summoned courage to do so. I am am not really put the space back together, they should ensure to put a and decided to move forward. My prayer is that we don’t experience war again as it the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening moved by anything except death. You can’t make me feel bad by crushing my strong burglary proof, you can even put three or four if you was very traumatic seeing all the glasses broken everywhere and so much blood. again in future? car or stealing my properties. The only thing that can get to me is perhaps trying have to. Our youth need better education, they need jobs, better living conditions and to get to my kids or wife. I can not really blame the looters because there are Are you aware of any channels being put in place by the government to support need to feel a sense of equity and justice in the nation. Our value systems need illiterates basically following directions and instructions of what they are asked What better ways do you suggest the government can victims like you who suffered financial losses from this carnage? to be rebuilt and a sense of dignity and self worth reinstituted in the minds of the to do. The culprits didn’t just come out to loot, there destroyed stuff they did not connect better with the youths and empower them to We are aware that the Lagos state Government has provided loans at single youth. I can assure you, no one with the right values would destroy what would need to destroy. To me, that act of wickedness shows just how much they need to avoid such atrocities from repeating itself? digit interest rates through the LSETF to those affected. This is a very welcome be of ultimate benefit to themselves. be informed and educated well on how to behave. I don’t think this has to do with the government because we keep waiting on initiative and would go a long way to help some of us to rebuild our businesses. I believe the Government should focus much more on empowerment programs; the government to do this for us. I think it’s high time, we, as the middle class, However, quite a number of business owners have existing loans which were vocational skills programs etc that would eventually get the youth off the streets. Are they any avenues you know of that the government has put to help you render our voices to the hoodlums. It’s our responsibility to educate and talk to used to finance the business. Additional loans would only make the interest But apart from Government, we all need to take responsibility and empathize with financially recover some of your loses? them. Let them know that whatever we are doing, we are doing it for them. We burden unbearable. We shouldn’t forget that many businesses had only just the disadvantaged all around us, feed them and help them. Well, l have seen a lot on social media that the government is doing to help can create a business platform for them. If we work together and bring somebody small businesses and people that lost properties. But because of the way to represent us, I believe the country will have a complete turnaround. With this, I see my country, I don’t believe in that and I don’t think that would work. I believe Nigeria will become a better place in 2023. I think it’s time to start telling They will just raise your hope for about seven to eight months before you the youths to stop allowing the government to use them to cause havoc. If we even get N1,000,000. I’m just counting this incident as one of my losses. I do can take that hold on them away from the government, trust me, ww will get our not expect the government to come through for me except from individuals country back. Before OKE MADUEWESI CEO ZARON COSMETICS

Before OMOLARA OGUNKOYA What approximately is the value of your of them are graduates with no jobs, some are even mothers loss of business and how did you feel with no food to feed their children. I am not condoning this act or CEO MUKLAMART when you saw the damages inflicted? excusing criminality but this is what you get from a failed system. It’s been one of the most challenging and However, Nigerians need to understand that taking out your frustration on your After As a victim of the carnage and one who Access Bank that the bank has earmarked some loan for those painful times for most Nigerians. I had always said fellow hardworking Nigerians that are probably the only people helping to put has suffered financial losses from this affected. what happened recently was inevitable. Given the food on your table sets you back even more. act, who are you most angry with? The economic situation, anarchy was not far fetched. hoodlums or the government that failed them In moving forward, what further steps are you taking to avoid such The sad part always is that innocent and hard Are you aware of any avenues the government has put in place to help as a people? an occurrence ever happening to you again? working people tend to pay the price. financially recover some of these losses? My anger was directed at both looters and those There isn’t any security measure to be put in place to avoid a recurrence. When We are lucky because we have a couple of more We have heard of a couple but I know that unlike Western economies, the After who made them into monsters they came, they came in their hundreds. Government must institute a proper stores but my heart goes out to those that lost Government does not have the capability and resources to restore most of the social security system that will take care of the vandals who seem angry and everything and might never be able to recover businesses and sadly for some, they will have to sweat it out mostly on their own. Are you aware of any steps the government is putting vengeful. We must also arise and be our brother’s keepers and be more sensitive from this. in place to financially aid victims like you in recovering to the plight of those around us. In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better some of your losses? In all this, who was you anger directed at, the looters or those who put them guard you against such occurrences in future? I am aware that LSETF wants to offer some interest What better ways do you suggest the government bridge the gap with the in that condition? Having the Nigerian Army secure my stores (LOL). I am not sure how you can free loans to MSMEs affected by the looting and youths to avoid a repeat performance of the carnage? The question I always ask is, who in their right minds chooses to be hoodlums? truly prevent this as business people, apart from being protected by insurance vandalization. Also learnt from our account officers at I suggest creation of technical schools to enable the youths learn trades and The system created these people. They have been deprived for so long and some and extra security measures. The key thing is that Government has to understand 8 9 STYLE & DESIGN THISDAY Style STYLE & DESIGN THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

Are they any avenues you know of that the government has put in place What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with that for its economy to thrive, they have to create a secure and enabling This is a very simple and easy question and I know the answers has been over to help you financially recover some of your losses? the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening environment for businesses. flogged and known to all. The only solution to this problem is for the Government Yes, the Lagos state govt launched the LSTEF recovery fund platform, which again in future? The Government has to build infrastructure, have favourable monetary to have the will and the heart to truly be committed to bringing about change. Until we have applied for but we haven’t gotten a feedback yet The govt needs to operate a transparent system of governance whereby they policies and create access to capital while business owners have to commit to the leaders commit to this and do right by its citizens, we will and cannot move are accountable to the citizens especially the youths, an inclusive system of building and grow successful businesses to create employment for its people. forward. In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better governance whereby the citizens are part of the system. guard you against such occurrences in future? What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing Groups of professionals need to reach out to the disenfranchised citizens by Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again business owners who were victims of the Lagos carnage? organizing different outreach programs that will provide a sense of inclusion. I business owners? in future? They have to do an assessment and decide the best strategy. strongly believe that if we do this, it will go a long way in guarding against being I think the assistance is open to everyone that was accepted regardless of your the object of the attacks. type and size of business.

ADENIKE OGUNLESI Before CEO RUFF AND TUMBLE OLUWATOSIN AYODELE AVENUE MONTAIGNE Before

One can only imagine the turmoil of seeing so many years of sweat have invested in our country Seeing so many years of hard work destroyed in just a few the LSETF which we hope will truly rescue us and toil go up like smoke in just a few hours from carnage and Nigeria. We are job creators and hours must be harrowing to witness. What approximately, is from drowning in debt destruction. How do you even put into words what this loss means to innovators. We deserve better After the value of your loss? you? attention and support from Govt. I’m struggling with finding the appropriate word to express my In moving forward, what extra measures are The impact of the loss is felt right across our supply chain. On the retail end, with feelings as “painful” is an understatement considering the years of you putting in place to better guard you the use of technology, we were able to put the value of losses at about N120M Are you aware of any channels the hard work and perseverance that has gone down the drain especially in a not against such occurrences in future? from our three locations. government has put in place to help you so friendly business environment like ours. In our facility, we have a luxury store Getting Insurance but also Insurance companies After With three Ruff and Tumble stores down, it also means we will reduce our financially recover some of your losses? selling high end brands ranging from Goyard, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Off need to find a way to reduce their fees as it’s not production as we no longer have those outlets to feed. We will be reducing our We are working on this. As we are part of the White labels etc. These products come at an average price of $1,000. The whole easy keeping up with it. Most times, it feels like production capacity which may result in temporary lay offs in production and solution and not the problem, Govt must put store was wiped out. We lost products worth $300,000 (N135 million). Five of our you’re giving away all your profits to the insurance logistics. This creates a viscous cycle of jobs cuts (which are really needed now), in place a compensation plan to cushion the delivery bikes were carted away, two TVs, CCTV dvrs, two DSTV decoders, one company that can very easily spiral out of control. impact on businesses so this incident does not Bang & Olufsen speaker worth $3,000. Rugs, two IMAC computers, Portable office This is the second time we are experiencing this! The first time was during the lead to further losses. I am believing that Govt Fridge, one PS4, many parts were also removed from our office car parked in the What better ways do you suggest the xenophobic attacks. can see the value we create and will therefore help us all get back on our feet compound and also from our Mikano generator. government can connect better with the youths Psychologically the impact on our entire staff is very negative. We have had ASAP. to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in to counsel and address our teams on how to cope as well as to understand the Who was you anger directed at, the looters or those that put them in that future? impact and it’s implications. In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to condition? First of all, communication is key, leaders should embrace the habit of better guard you against such occurrences in future? If you critically analyze the Lekki incident, you’ll realize the protest was as addressing the nation always about acheievements and immediate future plans (if Is your anger directed at the looters or those who put them in that Our Ecom site is up. We are already directing our customers to shop their peaceful and united as anyone has ever seen, they were not stealing or looting we break this down to even an organization, that’s why many companies do staff condition? favorite looks online. Brick and mortar presence is proving to be high risk unless until the government showed up, shot at unarmed citizens and imposed a curfew. meetings weekly, bi- weekly or monthly) to discuss what has been achieved the I have very mixed feelings and a cocktail of emotions! Firstly I must thank we can improve on security. We are also ensuring insurance policies are in place My anger right now is directed at the government who imposed a curfew but previous week or month and track the status of future plans also). When citizens, our amazing customers! Wow. They have been supporting us with words of to support when things like this happen. failed to secure private and public properties. Isn’t that the essence of curfews? especially youths, feel inclusive, everyone will be on the same page. The attitude encouragement! All our other stores nation wide are open to serve. of the FG towards the reality is not so encouraging, it makes you wonder your true My heart goes out to all who have had to go through this, most especially after What ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the Do you know if the government has taken any measures to provide succor purpose in life. Feedbacks from citizens is an essential part of leadership. That is the impact of Covid on our businesses. We are collateral damage, we are bearing youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in for victims of the carnage like yourself? how you can be sure if you’re going on the right direction because every wrong the consequences of the social inequalities and injustices in our society. future? Well Lagos state government recently announced an intervention fund called turn you take has serious real life implications on the people you’re leading. What happened is a true reflection of where we are as a nation. We must Dialogue. We must learn to listen to each other, understand the language of sincerely commit ourselves to building a nation that works on all levels for us the youth and engage. They are almost 70% of our population, they must get all. The industrialization of Nigeria is no longer negotiable. This must be on the involved and must be given the chance. They are the future. Let’s listen to them. front burner. Jobs must be created and fast. Developmental capital must be I would like to see more engagement, more trade and technical schools helping made available to develop the infrastructural networks for our industrialization. the youth become more employable in the 21century Nigeria. Finance must be provided at zero percent interest rates, along with incentives that encourages genuine manufacturers. It’s never been a better time to support Nigerian Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing Manufacturing. This is not about trader money, it’s about factories from Lagos to business owners who were victims of the Lagos carnage? Before Sokoto serving as the West African/African and indeed, the global supply chain. All businesses affected must be supported. BUKKY GEORGE Nigeria can no longer just be a juicy market, we must become a manufacturing We for one, need the support. This is another curve ball we didn’t see coming, nation. We who are part of the solution are seen as part of the problem. We it’s impact is devastating on us socially and mentally. CEO HEALTHPLUS It must have been very painful to see electronics, office equipment, signage etc. so many years of hard work destroyed in just a few hours. What approximately, is Who was you anger directed at, the looters or those who put the value of your loss and can you please tell them in that condition? Before After us what you lost? Entrepreneurship in Nigeria is like extracting a tooth without anaesthesia. The hijack of the purposeful and peaceful #EndSARS Having been in business for over 21 years, I have become very resilient. I TARA DUROTOYE protests by looters on Wednesday, 21 October 2020 do not have the time to indulge in negative energy such as anger, sadness CEO TARA COSMETICS was very unfortunate. HealthPlus Group operates two or despondency. Rather, I preserve myself in order to remain focused on complimentary concepts: HealthPlus, a 58-unit chain of priorities, think clearly, solve our problems and start the rebuilding process. It must have been very painful to see so many pharmacies and CasaBella, a 32-unit of one-stop-shops Having said this, the Federal government should have acted more decisively years of hard work destroyed in just a few hours. Who was you anger directed at, the looters or those for beauty and grooming solutions. Our company lost in attending to the requests of the peaceful protesters. The invitation of What approximately, is the value of your loss? who put them in that condition? a total of 11 stores to looters on that fateful day. Two of soldiers should have been carefully managed. How can fire be opened After There were mixed feelings, feelings of pain but the feeling First of all, l will like to call them the disenfranchised our stores located at Circle Mall Lekki were totally burnt towards or around peaceful protesters holding Nigerian flags? The delay of gratitude was more. Gratitude because staff were not at citizens because they have been neglected for too long and you and I with nothing to recover. The 11 stores that were looted/burnt were located in: in proactively and transparently sharing the CA-COVID Palliatives must be work when it happened, which would have been a different did nothing about it. (The educated and privileged) The anger was more Circle Mall, Novare Mall, SPAR Lekki, Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall, Kwara Mall and investigated and defaulters penalized. What appeared to be hoarding of story. It placed me in a state of reflection. Why is this happening towards us “the privileged” who could have made a difference when our on Freedom way, Lekki Phase 1. Circle Mall was the worst hit as the hoodlums these items caused great anger amongst the poor. I can authoritatively say a second time? Attack on businesses and personal properties govt didn’t. The privileged who didn’t hold government accountable but looted then set fire on the building. The mall must have structural problems. I that the stockpile in the Ilorin CA-COVID warehouse caused the mayhem of ordinary citizen? Similarly during the xenophobia protest chose to build our own. What did we do to provide a sense of inclusion, suspect they must demolish and rebuild. Really Awful! in Kwara State which spilt over to the looting of Kwara Mall. Per the looters, in lagos. Reflections around what we can do collectively as a to educate and integrate them so they have a sense of belonging. Their The destruction has led to inability to serve our customers, loss of there is no excuse for unlawful behaviour. You will however agree that these collective? How did Gov fail us as hardworking entrepreneurs? anger is more towards us that they see as the “the privileged” and at the revenues and displacement of our employees. To give you an idea of the are the monsters that have been created due to unemployment, poverty and What can we do as a business to prevent this from happening govt. quantum of our losses: It costs us approximately N30million to kit up one hunger in the land. again or mitigating against this risk? store. This includes the cost of inventory, furniture & fittings, computers & 10 11

STYLE & DESIGN THISDAY Style THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

Are you aware of any avenues the government has put in place to help you financially recover some of your losses? What better ways do you suggest the government can bridge Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) have put in the gap with the youths to empower them and prevent such place a recovery fund for SMEs. Kwara State also have an SME atrocity ever happening again in future? recovery fund. The quantum of these palliatives and the speed Dialogue is essential. This takes skills. A panel of trustworthy with which they will be disbursed are unknown. Nigerians, representing different sectors and including the youths should have been set up within in 48 hours of the protests. The In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in panel will then engage the protesters with a roadmap and timelines place to better guard you against such occurrences in future? for vigorously addressing their demands. The youths would have backed We are insured against several perils. We are reviewing our insurance cover down. Unfortunately, silence in certain quarters was deafening! to ensure it is as robust and comprehensive as can be. We are riveting all our safes. We plan to install foldable burglary proof (durable roller shutters) which Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing to will be impervious to looters. We also hope to learn from other retailers, local address this issue? and international in best practices to safeguard our assets against rioters. I read that SMEs will be compensated. We await the definition of an SME as Government needs to install street CCTVs which have facial recognition we range from micro, small to medium sized enterprises. Large corporates were features as seen in developed countries. That way, looters will be brought to also destroyed. These attacks were totally unprecedented. They trumped the justice and deterred from such despicable acts. xenophobic attacks!

Before OMOBOWALE BIOBAKU CEO MOBOS

It must have been very painful to see so many years of hard work destroyed in just few hours. What, approximately, is the In moving forward, value of your loss? what steps are you taking Talking about money or loss, you can’t even imagine what we to avoid such an occurrence have suffered! Outside of the products been looted, is the assault and ever happening to you again? destruction of property. It’s so sad. If we look at the value of what we My two shops that were looted lost, we are looking at approximately N20-30 million naira worth of items where in Nauvere mall and Surulere After overnight! It’s a violation that leaves you feeling naked! Some shoes were mall. Because l am in a mall, there’s really stolen with the other pair left behind. They took everything from desktops, little I can do to guard up against such POS, curtains and mannequins aside from the shoes. It’s just terrible. occurrences in future. One of the reasons we pay a premium for a mall space, is the At this point, who is your anger directed at? The hoodlums or those security and I believe the mall owners should who made them become one? rise up to the challenge. It has happened I don’t want to say l am angry. I have to just move on from here but I’ll say twice now in the one of the malls and I I blame the government as well as the looters. We all have a choice. Yes, the believe after the first incident, they didn’t government isn’t providing for the citizens of the nation. The environment pay for security. They need to step it up. The isn’t conducive for anything. The educational system is bad. ASSU is still store owners should also engage mall owners on strike for crying out loud and an idle mind is the devil workshop. So to tighten their security because we can’t there are a lot of youths not doing anything. So the government should depend on their security services anymore. rise up to the challenge and do what they ought to do provide work for We need to know what new measures they the youths. Look at the palliatives that was found meant to feed people at are putting in place. It is their responsibility to us and we as tenants need my Estate. They hid these palliatives in a warehouse. But the looters also to have one voice in ensuring they step up to the plate. damaged things so I blame both the youths and the government because Nigeria is not just a landscape. Nigeria is you and I. What the hoodlums did What better ways do you suggest the government bridge the gap was wrong and wicked. The government also needs to rise up because it’s with the youths to avoid a repeat performance of the carnage? the situation that made these youths rise up against their fellow citizens. I I’ll say it again, the idle mind is the devil workshop. If they are idle, just hope the government will do the needful. they are bound to look for other means to sustain themselves. The high rate of unemployment in the nation is alarming. If they don’t have jobs, Are you aware of any steps the government is putting in place to how do they feed? What is there to support them? We need our nation to financially aid victims like you in recovering some of your losses? work right now. We need to start praying cause this is just the beginning. I heard that Lagos state has set up a fund for those affected and as far as I What has been put in place for their education and health sector? The know, it’s just what they put out there. Maybe they have started giving it out government needs to rise up and do what is expected of them because I don’t know. But personally, I haven’t received anything and until I receive, I these youths are our leaders of tomorrow. They should be empowered won’t believe theres a fund set aside to help us financially. I hope they will be enough to fill that role when it’s their turn to rule the world. able to hold up to their promise in doing so and reach out to many as possible aside from the people asking for donations to those that were affected.

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14 15 SOME OF THE DESTRUCTION OF

THISDAY Style THISDAY Style STYLE & DESIGN Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 STYLE & DESIGN Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 SOME OF THE #carnageandlooting DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTIES BY USIADE ISIOMA

Lagos state, Before After Before After Before that was once described as ‘one of the most & expensive cities in the world’ met its Waterloo recently when it was vandalized and reduced to ruins in the hands of frustrated ORILE IGANMU POLICE STATION SHOPRITE LEKKI youths. They After broke, burnt and damaged everything Before After Before After in sight as a reflection of their rage at a system that failed them. Many of these properties that took years to build were destroyed within hours. The debri left behind is TELEVISION CONTINENTAL HEADQUARTERS ORIENTAL HOTEL VICTORIA ISLAND a symbol or what that day represents in history - the Black Before Before NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY OFFICE Tuesday. Lagos After state is slowly trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild what was Before destroyed. It will take a while and a lot of sweat to recover from this After carnage. But one that only hope THE NATION NEWSPAPER HEAD OFFICE that as Lagos state resurrects these properties and breath life Before back into them, After the same will After also reflect with building a better relationship with the youths of today and earn their trust so that together, the city and its people can live again. BUS RAPID TRANSPORT (BRT) VEHICLES LEKKI TOLL PLAZA GOV. SANWO-OLU FAMILY HOUSE 16 17 THISDAY Style STYLE & DESIGN THISDAY Style STYLE & DESIGN Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

IFE AGORO NELLY AGBOGU process was not just to of DANG OF NAIJA BRAND CHICK give confidence to the contributors, but also to FUNDS RAISED: FUNDS RAISED: make sure that we disbursed the funds to the people that N18,000,000 needed it the most. N15,000,000 We set up a sophisticated funnel of verification that The SME SUPPORT FUND is set up to The recent happenings in the country, consists of five critical stages; work in five steps: especially Lagos, has really affected #carnageandlootings us in a bad way. Staff had to stop STAGE 1 1.PUBLIC DONATIONS: This will span a coming to work, we had to shut down We received over 300 two week period starting from the 23rd Tier 3: due to poor sales. Then the recent applications from 21 states in of October. N500,000- N1,500,000 happenings were really challenging Nigeria, and we have been able for us in terms of decrease in sales and increase in to select 34 small business owners who will get 2.APPLICATIONS: Affected businesses Fund allocation will be done via cost of production. Same month we got burgled as access to at least 500,000 each. BEING OUR apply with substantial evidence to direct bank transfer, except where well. Really, it hasn’t been easy. support their claim. This step will run impossible, and all transfer receipts will I decided to come up with the Donations for STAGE 2 concurrently with Step 1. be collated affected SMEs because empathy is one of my most Visits to the vandalized stores of the applicants for outstanding leadership qualities. physical verification and having IG live sessions 3.VERIFICATION: The SME SUPPORT 5. FINAL REPORT: The SME SUPPORT When the hoodlums went on the streets, hijacked with those who are outside Lagos. TEAM will carry out a verification FUND TEAM will provide a detailed the peaceful #endsars protest, and began to exercise to ensure only those truly report of all donations received, how vandalize shops and cart away items, I knew that I STAGE 3 affected benefit from the fund. This they were allocated, and to whom they had to do something. I remembered when my shop Getting a legal team on board for signed BROTHER’S will include , but not limited to, visits were allocated not longer than a week was robbed three weeks ago. I was so devastated. documents. to affected areas, scrutiny of photo after allocation of funds. Amid the pandemic, and the resulting impact on and video evidence sent in, calls to The feedback has been amazing. sales, having your shop robbed is the last thing you STAGE 4 management of affected malls etc. Our close friends and loved ones have want to experience. Getting professional accountants on board for the surprised us, THE DANG Community So, when I saw the shops of other Small Business KEEPER 4. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS: Businesses has surprised us as well and we find proper record keepings and financial statements. Owners vandalized, there was no way I was going The last couple of weeks have been filled with a rollercoaster that pass the verification process that people are reposting the fliers to ignore them. STAGE 5 will be split into three tiers based on their pages with stories saying Here was my decision - shops that were of emotions, it will take a while to get over it and hope that the Disbursement of funds by the finance team to the change we seek will eventually come. A lot of lives have been on business needs and will receive they trust the DANG platform to have vandalized needed all the help they could get to affected SME’s. funding as follows: enough integrity to do with the money build again, and this can happen. lost, a lot of business affected, shops vandalized and we sincerely what we say we will. This was and is At first, I wanted to support them personally. But Do the entrepreneurs need more, certainly. Can hope that business owners are able to get back on their feet Tier 1: N50,000- N250,000 quite humbling. So far, we have raised you see, Nigerians are people that care. I made a we do more, absolutely! So, we are calling on soonest. almost N18m simple request to the 200,000+ community I have well-meaning Nigerians, the private sector and Linda Ikeji, Askdamz, Deltapot and many others have Tier 2: N250,000- N500,000 on Instagram, and in less than four days, we were the government to continue to create SME Bridge able to raise N15,000,000 to support SMEs that shown love and support via donations to affected business. Funds that can help entrepreneurs start, sustain This week we reached out and got a few responses from them. were impacted. and scale their businesses. Immediately the first fund came in; I decided that we would create a verification process to disburse Honestly, the response from well meaning the funds. individuals has been great, so many affected RUKY SALAKO AND ZINNA ANUMUDU women. Now, this is a public fund. Over 500 people business owners all across Nigeria reached out and CHINNY ONONUJU- As part of contributed to this fund. Establishing a verification really, it’s amazing. MCERNEST our mandate of The Women to support women, we International have now setup an emergency TWI is​ a social enterprise with support a vision of “equipping women to project for the network that I have achieve a fully balanced life by female owned OLUFUNKE ADEPOJU to raise the money, and focusing on their mental, emotional, businesses so far we have been physical and financial wellbeing”. affected by the of Funke Adepoju Brand able to raise N2,100,000. Our vision was borne out of a desire recent looting We intend to share this DEDUN OLOBAYO to assist women maximize their and destructions FUNDS RAISED: across a list of the 20 full potential as they navigate through life’s Nationwide. people we already have, OF STYLEMEAFRICA challenges. TWI is dedicated to helping ⁣We cannot imagine what some of these N2,100,000 to get back on their feet. women build a better future for themselves, businesses might be going through at this The funds obviously I decided to help businesses after seeing the their families, career trajectory and time, but we believe together we can help devastation across Lekki phase 1. I took a drive out businesses. I came up with this initiative because it cannot do everything for them rebuild! for some air during the lockdown and I was very sad The recent statistics on depression and was important for me to find a way to help them, but can definitely ⁣Our goal for this project is to support at to see businesses that I knew and loved looted and increased suicide rates in Nigeria have people at this time, at this moment a lot of fix their shelves, glass, least 300 Female owned businesses through destroyed. I thought to get out of being a social media reinforced our desire to change the status people are grieving, and don’t know where windows etc. It’s just the “We Care” project, an initiative under activist and do actually do something. I’m partnering quo and promote positive outcomes for to start from, so I thought it would be good basically being our The Women International, set up to assist with Nelly of Naija brand chick who will verify the women to enable them thrive and become for me to rally round and use the network of people brothers keeper at a time like this, vulnerable and underprivileged women and businesses and disburse the funds as needed. I am also meaningful contributors to nation building. that I already have to raise some money to cushion trying to show that little drops can fill an ocean. It is girls in the society. in touch with a number of people who work in various Our circles as well as summits, are focused the effect of this whole vandalization. Because the to help them know that they are not in this alone. ⁣The entire process will be made organisations across E commerce, finance, tax and on increasing the success rate of female truth is, as one person or an organization, we can’t This happened as a result of all of us trying to force transparent and we will make sure to provide insurance to help these businesses reach their goals. entrepreneurs, women across different fill their shops back or give them everything that change, it is unfortunate that they where hit the update on the progress on a regular basis. Feedback has been great although slow. I have more of corporate management levels, public service they lost, but I though it was important to do my hardest. I guess in our own little way, we are just ⁣The best thing to hold on to in life is each an international audience so I need to work harder to as well as homemakers. part because it’s the only thing I know how to do trying to make a change and help people around other and all we truly have is each other educate them about what’s going on so that they can The Circle is TWI’s closed-knit event holds which is why I came up with this initiative to use us. Together we can achieve this. be empathetic and donate to our cause. every quarter and is attended by at least 100

18 19 STYLE & DESIGN THISDAY Style #carnageandlootings Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 THE

GOODOF DEEDS THE PROTESTERS BY ISIOMA USIADE The Groundnut Seller Monies Raised:N2,000,000

he Nigerian youths who participated in the #ENDSARS T protest at Lekki Toll Gate warmed hearts on social media after raising N2million for elderly woman selling groundnut at the protest ground. They raised the money by sharing pleas on social media which touched benevolent hearts including celebrities, to support with some money. The total amount mentioned earlier is what the groundnut seller was blessed with. The disclosure was made by a Twitter user with the handle @sama_ on_point who shared pictures of the woman on the social media platform. secure The Physically Challenged the gates! Monies Raised: N4,000,000 nother protester, he #EndSARS protesters raised over N4million in identified as Charles Do not give fraudsters less than 24 hours for two physically-challenged ANnaman, with the same protesters who joined the protest. challenge as Jane is to benefit T from the donation. He led the access to your account. One of them was identified as Jane. Many protesters uploaded her image on social media tagging her as the protest from Stadium to Bode protest heroine for not allowing her physical challenge to Thomas in Surulere, despite deter her from joining the protest. having one limb. Mr Egemba A popular medical doctor on Twitter, Chinonso Egemba, said the police shot him two known as Aproko doctor, started the fundraising for her after months after his wedding. Never share personal banking information identifying the need for a prosthetic leg for her to enable her such as your 16-digit card number, password, walk. He tweeted, “This is Jane. She’s been unemployed since 2013 partly because PIN, BVN, One-Time Password (OTP) or of her disability, she came out in the #EndSARS protests and we not just ‘TALK’. need to help.” Please click the link below to donate to this, if you can’t The track goes on to say people authentication code for Mobile Banking app donate, please RT, someone might see it on your TL.” are tired of reading the news with In less than two hours of creating the Gofundme account, the target of no results. It complains about the with anyone. N500,000 was reached. nonchalant approach the government has Mr Egemba, thereafter, increased the target to N1.5 million, saying Jane needs to get the best quality prosthetic leg as towards its people. But it drives home the there is a team of doctors who have volunteered to assemble the leg without collecting a dime. The N1.5 Million target was point that as nobody wants to join politics, Call our 24-hour Contact Center to report also reached within four hours. how do we then begin to correct the wrongs “I created the donate link for Jane with a 30 day period in mind for N500,000. I thought Nigerians were stretched thin from imposed on us as a people? any suspicious phone call, text message giving for the #EndSARS protests. Said a little prayer then posted the link. This further reiterated the problem, the society or email. “In less than 4 hours, we raised N3.2 Million naira and counting! A new Nigeria!” he tweeted. has, with those who criticize the government. How do you ensure your voices will be heard if there is no presence to represent your interest? Not only is “Talk and Do” lyrically pleasant to the worldwide issues aiming for one common listen to and hits a chord deeply, it’s harrowing Scan to download AccessMore app Banky W’s New Single goal - hunger for change! This song is inspiring message gives one food for thought not to mention ‘TALK AND DO’ and encourages one not to lose focus from the its scintillating melodious tune. Even though message. BANKY W seems to want to focus on politics and Feat. 2Baba, Seun Kuti, Timi Dakolo, Brookstone “Talk and Do” is a stark portrayal of the current play a role in the change we all seek for, this song and LCGC times. Where the suffering of the common man exposes his depth of character which we pray will is highlighted to those that govern them. It sings see him through the terrain he now want to play in. Banky W has just released a riveting new single Truth is, Rome was not built in a day and the 01- 2712005, 01- 2712006, 01- 2712007. titled “Talk and Do” which features a number of about the need to address issues making lives difficult. The need for these governments to more BANKYs we have putting their foot forward music heavyweights including Seun Kuti, 2Baba, in the world of politics and governance, the more Timi Dakolo, Brookstone & LCGC. The song is a get off their drawing boards and attend to the pressing issues before them. The need to take their they should be encouraged and supported in every reflection of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, way because only then - can we begin to build alongside the ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement, heads out of the sand and deal with the pains of their citizens. They need action. They need the the armory required to achieve our goal - a better Youtube.com/accessbankplc LinkedIn.accessbankplc the Black Lives Matter which encompasses Instagram/myaccessbank government to step up. They need them to ‘DO’ and Nigeria for our youths! 20 21 THISDAY Style STYLE & DESIGN Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 #EndSARS (part 2) MORE PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES BY USIADE ISIOMA

GIMBA KAKANDA ANIETIE, 28 ABDUL ABDULKAREEM a Writer, Social media Influencer existence”. “My friend and I were headed “I would prefer to be attacked by and Political Analyst based in Abuja An alarm was raised about our home towards Gbagada. Halfway armed robbers than to encounter narrates the day he was brutalized by disappearance on social media, there, we were flagged by men in SARS officers.” police. and one of the things that saved us mufti. We were questioned and “My two friends and l were on “I had never been brutalized by the that day was Dr Oby Ezekwesili, the our phones were scrutinized. They our way home around Idi-Araba, Nigerian police before last Sunday. A organizer of the Bring Back Our Girls searched for words like “client”, Surulere when officers turned up new wave of demonstrations began campaign, who came to the police “dolls” and “bitcoin”. Of course, some in a minibus and arrested us. It was in early October, with protesters headquarters and insisted on our words popped up and we were at around 10 pm, I stopped at a store speaking out against the brutality release. There was also one dissenting this point, profiled as fraudsters. opposite my house with these of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad police officer who argued against the They made us abandon our car friends to pick up bread for breakfast (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian treatment we received. If Dr Oby had and forced us into their vehicle and the next morning. The officers Police Force that often operates not come to get us, and there had not they drove us along Ikorodu Road. appeared out of nowhere and in plain clothes. I’ve been helping been that lone voice of reason within They picked up more people on the dragged us into their van without communicate about the #endSARS the police force, our obituaries would road and made us lap each other. telling us what our offence was. They protests in real time. Last weekend I be in the news now. They told us to help ourselves by took us, along with twelve others, tweeted about the protest we were The problem is institutional. SARS, paying 200,000 naira each. Failure to Area D police station in Mushin attending in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and the officers working within to do so and we’d be charged with and threw us into a cell. On our way and shared our location. We were it, have the support of the police fraud. They had picked up some to the police station, the officers marching to the police headquarters hierarchy. There is no penalty for women too. Our phones and kept picking up random people and in Abuja when police started spraying any crime by the police and they are clothes were seized and we began throwing them into the van. Anyone water cannons and throwing tear gas reluctant to punish one of their own. to bargain with them. Eventually, that asked questions got slapped, canisters at us to disperse the crowd. They don’t want to accept that there we beat it down to 50,000 naira. they seized our phones and personal Police officers ambushed my is rot in the system. Over the years, the They swore not to accept transfers belongings and refused to tell us friend and I, grabbed my phone and police have been able to kill innocent so they drove around until they anything. I had to sleep in the cell smashed it on the floor. I was not citizens without any justice, and police found an ATM around Berger. I gave that night with the others that were aggressive, but it did not stop them brutality has become a culture here. them the money and they left me picked up. It was a bad experience. from beating me up, from ganging An Amnesty International report on the street in my underwear at We were released in the morning up on me and hitting me. I was saying earlier this year, documented at least midnight”. with the sum of N20,000. They my last prayers. I really thought my life 82 cases of torture, ill-treatment and laughed about what they had done was going to end. It made me realize extra-judicial execution by SARS in the morning like it was a joke. the danger of a system that has given between January 2017 and May 2020. They told us it was normal”. savages the right to be unsupervised. We have challenged this several times KING KENKO The officers transferred my friend before in the streets, and nothing has “About a month ago, my junior and I to the police headquarters, and happened. The political leadership has brother of 17yrs old was very ABDULAHI ZACHARI we met their superior. He told us we stopped listening to the masses. We unlucky on his way back from “My brother and l were detained were lucky that the encounter was in had Occupy Nigeria in 2012, and there writing exam (Waec/GCE) along by SARS in Abuja, tortured and the day rather than at night, because have been calls to disband SARS since ‘IjokoRoad, Sango Otta’ when he forced to admit to being robbers. if it was at night, they would have 2017. What’s happening now is a long- met this so-called SARS officers. They They asked us to lie down and were killed us and erased every trace of our awaited explosion of outrage. stopped him and the first thing they hitting us with rods all over our told him was to unlock his phone. bodies. They were telling us to admit He was just shocked and reluctantly that we were armed robbers. We held on to his phone. After different kept denying it.” My injuries were attempts of getting him to unlock so severe that I spent weeks in the EMMANUEL NNAJI, 24 their bus. I told them I was a Corps his phone proved futile, they had to hospital after my release”. member and they laughed asking if drag him to the station (Ijoko Police “I first encountered SARS during my I knew how many of my colleagues Station). On getting to the station, National Youth Service in 2019 when they have arrested. My identity card the DPO asked him to call someone travelling to Abuja. I was asked to meant nothing to them. They found he could reach out to and he had to alight from the car. When I got off, my AYOOLA OTORI nothing on my phone and requested call home. After calling Dad, he was laptop and phone were searched. They money which I declined. First, it was so tensed and derailed because that “In December 2015, l was went through my WhatsApp chats a public area and I didn’t want to was least expected from a boy that returning to my village for New and e-mails. This happened at about give people the impression of being left home with the aim of writing the Year’s, around 10 am after visiting three checkpoints. They claimed I was guilty and trying to find my way out. paper, he had so much prepared for. a friend in Awka. In front of looking good and happened to be Secondly, if they had approached me Rushing down the station the DPO Community Secondary school the only guy in the vehicle. Were they in a friendly manner and ‘begged’ said to my Dad the boy looked like Umueri, SARS officers stopped and trying to say it’s a crime to dress well? for money, I would have stashed a smoker ‘17years old boy’ imagine searched me. I think they stopped They are hating on young guys and some into their pockets. The other and that was the only evidence they me because I fit the stereotype of pinning them as ‘yahoo boys’ without time they tried it, my roommate was had for them to apprehend him a ‘yahoo boy’. They asked for the tangible evidence. arrested. They broke into my room on his way back from examination receipt to my laptop; I didn’t get a The real experience that threw and took my laptop to their station. I center. After much said and done, chance to explain myself when they me off took place on the 9th of was unaware until I was called to tell the bottom-line was my dad had to threw a slap my way. September, 2019 at about 10:20 am. them my password. Annoyed, I put a pay the DPO inordinate money to I was scared. I was assisted by a I was right in front of an Anglican call across to my lawyer and told them resolve the plight in order to release well-known businessman who was church in Oshogbo waiting for my I was coming with him. They told me his 17 year old son. That was how my driving by and recognized me. He colleagues. I was absent-minded not to bother, released my roommate brother was molested by the set of begged them on my behalf, and while using my phone when two and gave him my laptop. I have been people that was supposed to protect they let me go, I remember their armed men jumped at me like a harassed by them about six to seven us. From my stance I think that was names, Ibrahim Ademu and Eko Epe; wanted criminal before taking me to times now”. just act of injustice in all manners. they were route 10 officers”.

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