Abuja protesters are currently being beaten up as I type this post. And one of them has written and sent this as his last words, just in case he does not make it. Jonathan has not shot to kill the Boko Haram people who are proudly and confidently doing their thing, but these innocent, peaceful protesters, he’s flexing muscle for them abi? His day of reckoning is fast approaching.
On the first day of #occupynigeria, young Nigerian protesters were cut off their intended venue by about 200 police & soldiers. 13 brave Nigerians slept on the side walks by d venue. Cup half full…
On the second day of #occupynigeria, we the protesters sang the national anthem to remind us of our unity and common goal. We simply camped and held up our placards with our slogans and demands. 20+ young Nigerians slept in the cold to make their voices heard.
On the third day of #occupynigeria, we grew in numbers and purpose. “No violence, no verbal exchanges, just let ur placard speak for you” was d advice we kept sharing. Every hour on the hour, we sang the national anthem and pledge. United we stood-resolute and asking the government to hear our cries.
On the fourth day of #occupynigeria, the Nigerian Police Force attacked us in our sleep. Armed with clubs, sticks & iron rods, IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT, slightly past 1am, about 12 police men snuck at us from different directions while we slept on our makeshift cots. 40+ innocent Nigerians men and women simply sitting on the sidewalk were beaten from sleep to a stupor. Groggy, confused, and startled we ran into the bush, into the streets and away from the danger. Screams, shouts and caos rang as blows landed on different individuals from different angles. Eventually, we realised some were hurt so we stopped at various spots and tried to regroup. Across the street, about 50 police men led by DSP. C.U Adejumo stood disinterested while we scrambled for our lives. Our attackers at that point started destroying our property, searching & scrambling through our possessions and picking electronic devices that could record. We immediately started looking for our remaining phones, camera’s and gadgets we hadn’t left behind to record the events as it happened. With renewed vigour and determination, we slowly made our way back and started demanding an explanation. They stood their ground trying to attack again but we kept our camera’s rolling. Inspired, about 5 of the #occupynigeria men gathered around and grabbed 2 of the men and dragged them to the police who were simply still watching the brutality. They collected them and released them right before our eyes to disappear into the night. We started making calls and kept camera’s rolling.
At 3:30am we sat around gathering proof we had and then a police car came driving slowly with about 10 cops in it. The next moment live shots went out and I lost my vision. Choking & panting, I fell and rolled down the valley behind me. It was like a 30min fall. I felt my bones smacking into the ground & trees as the dark tumble swallowed me. Head, leg, feet, neck…all smacked against stone & bricks as I said my last prayer…
I awoke to throbbing pain in my right knee. My glasses are gone, my eyes ablaze & breath laboured. My left pinkie feels like its gone. I slowly crawl up to the top of the hill guided only by the sounds of my brave friends valiantly singing the national anthem. I get there, we asses my scraps and injuries, take count of people, and return to our post. We sing the 1st two stanzas of the national anthem and the pledge.
I have now said my last prayer and I am ready to press send. A lot of my friends have done so too. As I sit here like a duck waiting for their last attack which will certainly be life ammunition, I steel my heart with final conviction and remember “if nigeria doesn’t change, it won’t be for my lack of effort”. The police have surrounded us and one looks at me, begging us to drive off. “We have been ordered to shoot and kill if u do no leave” he whispers.
Culled from the Azeenarh blog.
