In a post shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday evening, October 20, the governor explained that he was very impressed with the #EndSARS protests when it started initially but he is now saddened by the fact that hoodlums have hijacked the protest and seized it as an opportunity to carry out wanton destruction.
Governor Sanwo-Olu says he couldn’t sit back and allow this continue, so he had to impose the curfew. His post reads
”The total breakdown of law and order by hoodlums who unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens and our dear state, prompted our decision to impose the 24 hour curfew.
I identify wholeheartedly with the #endsars protesters, and made sure Lagos state created a habitable environment for them to air their grievances and complaints without intimidation. I immediately swung into action as soon as I was presented with their demands. Changes that could be made immediately were done. And the ones that required a process, were kickstarted.
I watched keenly as humanity and love for one another thrive during the protests. A groundnut seller received life changing funds to grow her business, Jane got a prosthetic leg, people who lost their personal items got them back, new friendships were formed, protests grounds were tidied at the end of each day. Those actions made me proud and I was glad that Lagos state had set herself apart.
However, it is sad to see what was meant to be a life changing, boundary breaking, swift decision making, and status quo changing movement turn into a total bedlam by people who do not know the reasons why the protests started in the first place.
I watched these heartbreaking videos, and as Governor, history will not be kind to me if I fold my hands and allow arsonists, hoodlums, and anarchists hide under the guise of the #endsars protests to wreak havoc on the state, and put the lives of the very people I swore to protect in danger.
Imposing this curfew was difficult, especially as we have just returned from a COVID19 required lockdown. This curfew will allow security officials to immediately restore order to the state, and arrest the miscreants that have disrupted the peaceful protests.”
He also took out time to respond to Nigerians who engaged him via his Instagram comment section.
