Two persons were feared killed and many others injured when a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) ran into a crowd of #EndSARS protesters at Alagbado, a Lagos suburb.
Footage from a viral video showed two lifeless bodies being carried away by some youths while a volunteer of medical corps was deployed, especially around Amikanle area to take care of the wounded before those with severe injuries were moved to Cavesbury Hospital.
Witnesses said the silver SUV deliberately ran into the protesters in a bid to scare them off the road.
Although the driver of the vehicle was yet to be identified, it was gathered that an angry mob descended on the SUV as well as a tricycle involved in the accident.
Despite the heavy rains, protests again grounded Lagos yesterday, forcing those going to work or businesses to make a u-turn.
Demanding total reform of the police, the protesters, who also carried placards demanding the scrapping of the newly created Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) unit, said the Inspector General of Police (IG) only changed the name of the notorious SARS.
In their demands, they stipulated that if the SWAT team is to stay, no operative of the disbanded FSARS should be in the team and no ex-convict should be recruited.
They also demanded only graduates with experience should be drafted into the team, adding those were some of the measures that would truly reassure them that it was not the case of old wine in a new bottle.
At the Alausa area of the state, attempts by hoodlums to hijack the protest were repelled strongly by the protesters who insisted they must remain peaceful.
Hoodlums said to have been mobilised from Agege had attempted to loot vehicles but were subdued by genuine protesters who chased them off the area.
While some of the hoodlums who sustained injuries were administered first aids, the protesters ensured they were handed over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.
At Lekki, the protesters laid siege on around the Tollgate and brought traffic to a halt, forcing vehicles to use other connecting roads.
The protest gathered more steam as corporate organisations supplied branded raincoats, food, snacks, waters and non-alcoholic beverages to the protesters who observed a minute silence for lives lost to SARS and police brutality in Nigeria.
Chanting ‘End SARS’, ‘END SWAT’, ‘End Police Brutality’, and ‘Bring brutal policemen to justice’, amongst others, they also had a front desk where they documented all victims of police brutality.
The protest also continued in areas like Iyana Ipaja, Igando, Onikan, Oworonshoki, Ojodu-Berger, Amuwo Odofin, Ajegunle amongst others.
