Protesters on October 16th, took time out to remember people who died from SARS and police brutality during the #EndSARS protest. Still, with no leader, the protesters organised a candlelight vigil session across the nation. This was in honour of those who died from police brutality in Nigeria.
The vigils, dubbed Festival of Lights took place at Lekki Toll Gate and Government House, Alausa in Lagos. Port Harcourt, Benin, Abuja, and Bayelsa venues of the #EndSARS protests also observed the ceremony.
Currently on going! Candle light for our #EndPoliceBrutality fallen Heroes!🙏🏽 God bless their souls!🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯We move! 🇳🇬✊🏾🇳🇬✊🏾🇳🇬✊🏾🇳🇬✊🏾🇳🇬✊🏾🇳🇬✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/10q9JuaQxz
— Peter Okoye MrP (@PeterPsquare) October 16, 2020
#EndSARS Candlelight procession Ph!!😭😭😭😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/Vtvf0VsvmP
— Sonia (@soniakeira) October 16, 2020
Candle light procession currently happening now in Abuja to honour our brothers and sisters that have passed away as a result of police and SARS brutality in Nigeria ❤🕯🕯🕯
May their souls Rest in Peace🙏#EndSARS#candlenight#EndPoliceBrutality
pic.twitter.com/xLCwkHQg1s— Madam Karen (@Madam_Karen_) October 16, 2020
#EndSARS: Protesters Hold Candlelight Vigil In Lagoshttps://t.co/8BjcXM28yu pic.twitter.com/mVV3bmX4pi
— Channels Television (@channelstv) October 16, 2020
During the vigil, they called out names of persons who died, put up their pictures, lit candles, and said prayers in their honour. It was indeed a chilling ceremony with people sharing gory stories of how they lost loved ones to FSARS and police brutality.
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Most chilling of the stories was that of Chijioke Iloanya, allegedly killed by members of FSARS stationed at Awkuzu, Anambra state. According to Chijioke’s sister Obianuju who shared the story during the ceremony at Abuja, one James Nwafor asked her father to bring N3 million to secure Chijioke’s release.
The father sold lands and other properties, gave to Nwafor but he laughed in their faces, saying it’s too small.
Even more chilling was when she recounted how Chijioke’s father was made to swim in a river filled with corpses to identify her brother.
Chijioke’s dad swam in the infamous ezu filled with dead bodies! Turning the faces of rotting corpse to see if any happened to have chijioke’s face. 💔
Everybody pls stay angry this is far from over!!! #EndSARS
— #EndSARSNow (@babybear___) October 16, 2020
How will Chijioke’s dad sleep at night?
After swimming in a river of bodies to find his son? After selling his property to raise money and being told it’s chicken change?— rafiki. (@Oluwaseeto_) October 16, 2020
Listen to Chijioke’s story. Feom Festival of Lights, Abuja: held in honour of the ones we’ve lost.🕊#EndSARS
PART 1 pic.twitter.com/ROqGeOIvDb— Salem ♕♕ (@salemkinging) October 16, 2020
The stories fueled the anger and thickened the resolve of the protesters who insist they will remain on the streets till they see real change.
Same but I watch that Chijioke video again and I remind myself that we cannot get tired. Not until we get some semblance of real justice. Foot on necks. They can feel it. #EndSARS https://t.co/AryN0SPrWH
— FK. (@fkabudu) October 17, 2020
Since the protests broke out, the government has made what has been termed lukewarm attempts to quell the anger of the people.
What once started as #EndSARS protests has now evolved into a list of demands which includes a total overhaul of the police system and justice for victims.
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