Bwala: #EndSARS marked beginning of irresponsible protests in Nigeria

Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, says the 2020 #EndSARS demonstration marked the beginning of “irresponsible protesting” in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview with News Central on Wednesday, Bwala said previous protests in Nigeria were organised, unlike the #EndSARS movement.

He added that the government could not simply sit back while such protests unfolded.

“You want to shut down law and order in the country? There is no police anywhere in the world that will close their eyes to that fact,” Bwala said.

”EndSARS was the beginning and the foundation of irresponsible protesting. Before EndSARS, all the protests that we had in the country were organised.

“That’s why it is called organised protest. Any protest that is not organised the government can’t sit back… see what other Nigerians did the other time in Lagos (referring to the occupy Nigeria protest).”

When asked if the government’s actions against #EndSARS protesters were because the protests were disorganised, Bwala denied claims that security forces shot protesters.

“The government didn’t shoot down the protesters. There were misadventures by law enforcement and I must admit,” he said.

“And that’s why a panel was formed to investigate, and it released its findings.”

In October 2020, young Nigerians took to the streets in a nationwide protest against police brutality under the #EndSARS banner.

The movement was a response to years of alleged abuse, extortion, and killings by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious police unit.

In October 20, 2020, military personnel invaded the Lekki tollgate, the rallying point of the protest.

Witnesses said soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters waving the Nigerian flag, resulting in casualties.