Man ‘injured by stray bullet’ joins #EndSARSMemorial in Edo

Youths, on Wednesday, converged on major streets in Edo state to mark the first-year anniversary of the EndSARS protest.

In October 2020, Nigerians took to the streets in parts of the country to protest against police brutality, especially involving officers of the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS).

According to NAN, the youths in Edo converged on the Oba Ovonramwen Square, popularly called Ring Road, with placards bearing various inscriptions including demand for “automatic employment” for victims of police brutality.

They also asked for the immediate implementation of the report of the judicial panel set up by the state government, and requested that those still in detention as a result of the 2020 protest should be released unconditionally.

Security personnel drawn from the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and members of local vigilante were on ground.

Members of the public works volunteers (PUWOV) were also said to be positioned across the state to control traffic.

Stephen Asekhame, one of the youths, told journalists that his leg was amputated after he was hit by a bullet during the protest in Edo in 2020.

“During the protest last year on the 19th of October, 2020, we in Auchi decided to hold our own peaceful protest. On that day and during the protest, soldiers ran into us and I was hit by a bullet that led to the amputation of my left leg,” he said.

“I was a student then but now I am a graduate and I am supposed to go for service next Sunday.

“I presented my case before the panel through my lawyer, but till now, we have not heard anything from the panel.”

Another alleged victim, Miracle Ailenokhoriah, said he was protesting at the market square in Ekpoma when a policeman shot him.

“Him and other policemen with him started beating me and they said if I die, I will be buried behind the police station,” he said.

“I was later sent to the hospital where I spent three months and now we have resorted to traditional treatment. But since then, I have not been able to stand up.”

Corroborating his narration, his mother, Betty Odiagbe, said they also sent a petition and appeared before the panel but nothing had come out of it.