End SARs Protests in Nigeria: On the 6th of October, a group of protesters gathered at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa Lagos to protest police brutality in Nigeria tagged as #EndSARs. These protests are mainly directed at an arm of the police called SARs, also known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

These first group of protesters gathered the attention of the public between the 6th and 8th of October, 2020 after sleeping out in the open outside the House of Assembly. 

No Tent, No Chairs but Guess What? WE DIE HERE!#EndSARSProtest pic.twitter.com/LycI1iPh66

— Online Protester #ENDSARS🇳🇬 (@onlineprotest_) October 9, 2020

This End SARs protest is not the first protest against SARs brutality, but there is something peculiar about this one. The protest has snowballed into something bigger, with a hashtag with its own icon on Twitter (thanks Jack), protests in major cities all over the world, and even Nigerians in the diaspora protesting on the streets of cities like Paris, Dublin, London and Houston. 

On Friday the 9th, Feyikemi Abudu tweeted about needing donations to provide food vendor Mosopemi with ₦ 50,000, for feeding protesters at Alausa. People started to donate, and in a few minutes, we received information that the donations had reached and surpassed the original amount.  This event was only the beginning. 

So @Mosopemi is making breakfast for the 50 or so protesters who are going to be in Alausa overnight. It’s a small gesture, but if you’d like to help, please donate or volunteer to serve them. The cost will be 40 – 50k and you can donate to: 0120009843 GTB Mosopefoluwa Odeseye

— FK. (@fkabudu) October 9, 2020

As the protests grew in number and intensity, it became matched by donations from members of the society including food brands, vendors and chefs. The Feminist Coalition rallied and started receiving donations for the disbursement of funds for protesters’ wellbeing across the nation.

Chefs & food enthusiasts like Obute “Obubu” Otigba, Imoteda, Tobi Smith were instrumental in the feeding of thousands of protesters in places like Lekki, Alausa, Lagos Airport Road and in the case of Tobi Smith- Houston, Texas. 

Okay we are supporting Quacktails post protest because they came through to distribute to protesters at lekki Ikoyi toll gate !! Let’s note the brands that had our backs #SARMUSTENDNOW pic.twitter.com/P9z5LkP9mD

— ebele. (@ebelee_) October 12, 2020

playing our part. Protest Jollof and Fried Rice >>> #EndSARS #EndSarsNow pic.twitter.com/xQCzmptlQt

— Tobi (@TheTobiSmith) October 11, 2020

 

Today I have handed out:
– jollof rice from at least ten different sources
– spaghetti
– yam porridge
– fried rice
– rice and stew
– XO bakery donuts
– sausage rolls
– egg rolls
– chicken pepper soup
– dominos
– panarotti’s pizza (so good)
– rice and beans
– ice cream#EndSARS

— Cinderteda (@Imoteda) October 14, 2020

ABUJA: We heard you were tired of Rice that’s why you people are not coming out! We are sorry!@_DammyB_ has partnered with my Team! So lunch is:

•Chicken & Chips
•Pasta & Chicken

Oya be coming out oo!!! pic.twitter.com/khZGgjnaor

— Ikuku Malaysia 🧖🏾‍♀️ (@chefobubu) October 14, 2020

So the milkshake, burgers, Fries and breakfast platter we’re doing for you guys make we cancel? https://t.co/zPvyy3KpHg

— Ikuku Malaysia 🧖🏾‍♀️ (@chefobubu) October 14, 2020

Jollof on deck for tomorrow. Cocktails and chapman already freezing so we can serve them nice and cold. We’ll get water and ice in the morning.

See, don’t get tired! We will feed you and keep you hydrated, just keep coming out to protest!!!#EndSWAT #EndSARS #SARSMUSTEND

— Cinderteda (@Imoteda) October 13, 2020

Brands like the Ice Cream Factory, Hans and Rene, Chicken Republic, Bukka Hut, Quacktails, Panarotti’s have also contributed to feeding protesters at different locations. 

Lekki Toll Gate protest, i’m coming 💪🏽#EndSARS #EndSWAT ✊🏾✊🏾🚫🚫 pic.twitter.com/wJyTj3xjbG

— B to the M (@itsBolajii) October 15, 2020

Lekki Protesters, are you ready?
Bukka Hut steaming hot Amala is coming your way. #EndSARS #EndSWAT #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria @TheLazyCheff pic.twitter.com/lpvdu8cGd7

— Bukka Hut Restaurant (@BukkaHut) October 15, 2020

The labour of our heroes past and present will not be in vain. Be a part of the change you want to see.⁣
⁣#EndSARS⁣#EndSWAT#EndPoliceBrutality pic.twitter.com/ZO1UuPEhGH

— Hans and Rene (@hansandrene) October 16, 2020

 

Vendors like Dooney’s Kitchen, Kewa’s Kitchen, Efontree, Beezus Kitchen, Ni Fries and CocoBean Bakery also contributed packs of food to protesters. 

Berger protesters Arise!!!!!
Day 4 of feeding our protesting sweethearts.
Today we have:
Hotdogs, Banana Muffins, Water, Caprisonne.
Just show up, even if it’s for the food!!! 😂😂😂#EndSWAT pic.twitter.com/qiv3yoTdav

— CocoBean Bakery (@CocobeanBakery) October 14, 2020

We would love to thank @ni_fries for the provision of over 70 grilled turkeys to the protesters at Alausa, the distribution was assisted by @kikimordi @NoraAwolowo @mrtobitoun @ilorifelix_, no one ever imagined protest could be this sweet. On to the next one #EndPoliceBrutality pic.twitter.com/yzqYLwIMxr

— FREE DELIVERY FOR PROTEST RELIEF (@danfologistics) October 14, 2020

The solidarity and immense support from fellow Nigerians and people in the food industry are incredible to see and give one hope for the future of Nigeria. 

Other food vendors who have contributed to the protest with food:

Hot food is coming to Ajah – lekki protesters. It’s not much (It will feed 20 people) but, we hope it gives morale to everyone who is protesting.

A change is coming and we want it now!!! #endsars #lagosprotestsnow #endsarsnow #Lagosislandprotest pic.twitter.com/rUdmSsOnn1

— 𝐌𝐲𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 (@mysistermakes) October 14, 2020

 

160 packs of puff puff and 100 packs of small chops going out today for Lekki and Iyana Ipaja protesters with 5 cartons of water to each location.

Well done guys 💪🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/DvyaltKEtU

— The small chops lady 💗 (@miss_she_du) October 14, 2020

Abuja, Protest jollof is ready!
Enroute Berger bridge.

#endswat #ENDSARSOPPRESSION pic.twitter.com/2Of9lCB8hO

— fAmos🔌 (@amosDARA) October 14, 2020

Packing up in a bit guys 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻#EndSarsNow #EndSWAT pic.twitter.com/vNKZRrxtWG

— ÌYÁ OLÓÚNJE 🍜🍛 (@lanitas_kitchen) October 14, 2020

We came through for our Alausa protesters today… #endsars #endswat pic.twitter.com/G4lUl6WfEW

— Omolola (African Contemporary Story Teller) (@Mss_piNKy) October 15, 2020

Feature Image by Ayodeji Adegoroye

Remember to subscribe to our newsletter and be part of our mailing list here and subscribe to the Youtube channel and banter with me on Twitter and  Instagram