It is everywhere I look, I strain further to be sure I hear it…nothing. Justice has not said a word. Nothing has been delivered to the forever lost, the grieving, and the traumatized. Nothing is what this system delivers unto you when you ask for justice. In truth, more often than ever Nigerians do not get justice from the system we strive to abide by. Unfortunately, those who are entrusted as the gatekeepers and custodians of all aspects of this very system seek to make it work only to their own benefit.
Over 10 days ago over 125,000 people watched on someone’s social media feed as security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters. My last post seems now as a foreboding piece, as I stressed how those in power would use everything in their playbook to beat us back, unlike previous times, there is too much that has been seen which demands an explanation. The very state-sponsored thugs who had been unleashed to create confrontations in the streets took the opportunity to attack other facilities and police installations. Of course, the government will not take responsibility for any of this, even though Judicial panels of inquiries have been set up it does not seem remotely likely that justice will be served. Silence.
As of today, several mouthpieces of the current administration have embarked on public campaigns to paint the protest in a somewhat bad light, roping in looters and murders in with what was a completely legitimate movement and a valid cry for change. For 10 days Young people marched on the streets of many Nigerian cities, were even killed in several instances but never resorted to violence or vandalism. When thugs attacked in broad daylight, in one instance while Policemen were present doing nothing, protesters repelled some of these attacks and even handed some of these attackers over to security forces who were present. So there exist 2 narratives being bandied around.
Social Media, the very tool with which this generation of change seeker have so efficiently used to demand justice and reform is now in the sights of those who wield power. They will very much like some kind of control put in place in order to choose how these platforms can be used, just as they have managed to stifle Mainstream media. They want us all to do the same thing while they continue to live off the wealth of the land, be silent.
What they fail to realize is this sound of Silence which they think is what has become of the #EndSARS movement is far from silence, if they listen much closer they will hear it all; anger, awakening, maneuvering, a clarion call for those who seek the truth, justice, and a better way for all to live. Those who seek to silence us will realize that we will not go quietly into the night because blood has already been spilled, and the sacrifices of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
This is our sound of silence.
#EndSARS
