Babajide Okeowo
The directive by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry granting the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) the go-ahead to repossess the Lekki Toll Gate in a bid at reopening is set to trigger a bloodbath if feelers emanating from the social media is anything to go by.
Angry youths who are against the directive have set February 13, 2021, for a protest at the Lekki Toll Plaza. They held that no thought of reopening should be heard at the moment, not when no one has been held accountable for the killing of unarmed protesters, who marched against police brutality on the night of October 20.
Their agitation is currently being anchored on the hashtag #OccupyLekkiTollGate which has been trending on Twitter.
According to a user simply identified as KAY tweeting from the handle @Kaylechi_Lekki Tollgate must remain closed until investigations are concluded and justice is served.
“Re-opening of Lekki Toll Gate is the govt saying “forget it, that one has passed”. But what they don’t know is that youths are determined to get justice. Lekki Toll Gate must remain closed until investigations are concluded and justice is served. #OccupyLekkiTollGate” he tweeted.
Another user, Somto Onuchukwu called for the occupation of the Leki Toll Plaza until demands are met.
“What we have learned from the Judicial panels, #EndSARS and #LekkiMassacre 1. Never negotiate with this government, when you go out on the streets, stay on the streets until your demands are met and prepare for violence, they always bring it. We should #OccupyLekkiTollGate” he called out.
On his part, Obikoya Adebowale called for justice for those who lost their lives during the Lekki Toll Gate massacre.
“We will not allow this government to brainwash us, we need justice for those heroes that sacrificed their lives at the Lekki massacre. Enough of this oppression and tyranny. #OccupyLekkiTollGate’ he tweeted.
Barely 24 hours later, another set of youths have announced plans to organise a counter-protest at the Lekki Toll Plaza the same day. The counter-rally is also trending on Twitter as #DefendLagos and #DemNoBornYourPapaWell.
The poster of counter-rally shared on social media showed that it is holding at the same venue and time as the one planned by the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protesters.
“Let us protect what the destroyers left behind while we rebuild Lagos. Join the ‘defend Lagos’ rally at the Lekki toll plaza,” a message on the poster read with pictures of destructed buildings and other facilities during the violence that followed the #EndSARS protest in the state.
One of the promoters of the #DefendLagos protest, Olusoga Owoeye @olusogaowoeye said, “Show your love for our Lagos. Get your friends and your neighbors to be there. Join the DefendLagos Rally at the Lekki toll plaza on the 13th of February. We will not cede our city to criminals and insurrectionists. Lagos is our pride.”
Another promoter, @salamhunters, said, “We will defend and protect our Lagos from looters and arsonists.
“We say no to all retard and opportunists planning evil towards Lagos,” @Adetade6 added.
These developments have sent the social media into a frenzy with many expressing worries that it might result in a bloodbath.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2021/02/09/amid-revenue-decline-faac-disburses-n604b-in-nov-2020/
A user tweeting from the handle @drjollyseg noted that it is time for the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to step in to avert a bloodbath and needless deaths.
“@jidesanwoolu this is the time to be proactive! If care is not taken, there will be bloodshed and needless deaths following a possible clash between the two groups. Don’t overrule a possible hijack by hoodlums again” he tweeted.
Another user with the handle @AjayiWizeman, said “I am sure the #DefendLagos people will not come on Saturday and be civil. They will be dressed in the police, soldiers, and DSS uniforms alongside thugs. Dem no fit face thousands who will #OccuppyLekkiTollGate Na we set the date and time!”
Similarly, @sageugo added, “This is the plot, they’ll pay some Twitter influencers to trend #DefendLagos from now till 13th February, then on the D-day, they’ll unleash the same hoodlums they used to destroy Lagos during the #ENDSARS protest for a bloody clash with the #OccuppyLekkiTollGate protesters.”
