Thomas Abiodun, a human rights activist and member of the Take-It-Back Movement, is facing persistent threats from the Nigeria Police Force for speaking out about being shot during the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest memorial.
The #EndSARS movement, which began in 2020, was a decentralized social movement that sparked widespread protests across Nigeria, demanding an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
During these demonstrations, on October 20, 2020, it was discovered that the Nigerian Army killed numerous demonstrators, which is why Nigerians continue to hold anniversaries to commemorate the deaths of ‘the heroes’.
However, the Nigerian authorities have denied the allegation.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported how 22 protesters arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State while marking the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, were later released.
The demonstrators were beaten and brutalised after gathering to honour those killed while demanding an end to police brutality in Nigeria four years ago.
Abiodun was among the brutalised protesters in October.
She narrated how she was shot with a teargas canister by police personnel and subsequently went live on Facebook to inform her followers about her situation.
“It may be because of that video. Because I spoke against Seyi Tinubu (President Tinubu’s son), the police IGP, and Muyiwa Adejobi (Police Force PRO). Since then, they have been threatening me,” Abiodun told SaharaReporters.
She stated that she continued to get calls from the Department of State Services (DSS) officers, telling her to visit their office in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, without fully explaining the reason for the invitation.
“The officer called me and told me to come to Ogbomoso, that a petition was written against me without telling who is behind the petition.
“I told him I can’t come because I do not live there. It is at this point he kept telling me I should mention my location, that they would come. I suspect this is connected to the video I made during the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest memorial,” she said
“It can also be because of the issue I once had with a lawmaker last year when I defended a hawker he assaulted. But the threat I am getting in recent times is too much and I am speaking out in case happens to me,” she added.