How Lagos DJ Streamed Lekki Massacre To The World

On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, what had been thirteen days of peaceful protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit in the Nigerian Police Force, turned bloody in Lagos.

First, it started by the peaceful protests getting hijacked by thugs and it escalated from that point. Next, the Governor of Lagos State declared a curfew on the state with a four-hour notice. He said, ‘I thereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the state from 4 pm today, 20th, October 2020. Nobody except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets’.

However, many Lagosians, most of whom were already at the protest grounds refused to leave because, even if they had, chances that they’ll make it home before the curfew was slim. They opted to stay back at the Lekki Toll Gate where they had already camped to protest and be peaceful.

In several footages examined by Newsroom, the protesters were seen sitting on the ground at the toll gates after the curfew was supposed to have commenced and were no longer chanting. Instead, they began to sing the national anthem. But the peace they enjoyed was short-lived as military men were asked to take over the toll gate and ‘disperse’ the protesters. They did this by shooting live ammunition at the peaceful protesters, and Lagosians soon began to drop.

Before the military advanced on the peaceful and unarmed protesters, the toll gate staff took down all the CCTV cameras available. They also shut down the street lights and billboards, throwing the protesters into darkness.

The military moved on in this darkness, utilizing it to shoot at the protesters. As the chaos erupted, popular Lagos disc jockey, DJ Switch, began to stream what was happening via Instagram live.

The whole world watched as the military men fired at the protesters. The videos were mostly dark because they had shut down the electricity but the fear and shootings could be heard.

Eventually, she found a way to use some flashlights to show what was happening and the world watched as they gathered the injured. One protester held on to his Nigerian flag as he slowly gave up the ghost and the whole world watched. Many other protesters were hurt and reports say eight are already dead.

DJ Switch, herself, went off Instagram live after the protester died because her phone went off. Before her Instagram live abruptly ended, she made sure to tell the whole world that the hit had been directed by F.O Omata.

Several international personalities have already begun to speak against the killing of unarmed protesters.

Former United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton took to Twitter to ask President Buhari to stop killing Nigerian youths. She said, “I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment”

Award-winning American actress, Gabrielle Union also reacted to the killings saying, “#EndSARS! We need everyone’s voice to amplify what is going on as we speak!! The world is watching.”

Award-winning musician, Rihanna, also tweeted ‘#EndSARS’. And she shared a photo saying, “I can’t bear to see this torture and brutalization that is continuing to affect nations across our planet! It’s such a betrayal to the citizens, the very people put in place to protect are the ones we are most afraid of being murdered by! My heart is broken for Nigeria, man!!! It is unbearable to watch! I’m so proud of your strength and not letting up on the fight for what’s right!”

The protesters are still at Lekki Toll Gate, stuck in the middle of two fires and an army with live ammunition. The whole world is waiting, praying and hoping that they all make it out alive and that no one else dies.