Nigerian skit maker and activist, Adebowale ‘Debo’ Adedayo popularly known as Mr. Macaroni, has made a passionate plea for the release of #EndSARS protesters who continue to be held in detention three years after the mass demonstrations that rocked Nigeria in October 2020.
These protests initially demanded an end to police brutality, extrajudicial killings, extortion, and abuse of power, particularly by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The October 2020 protests, marked by their peaceful beginnings, ultimately led to the federal government’s decision to disband SARS.
Tragically, the movement was cut short on October 20 when Nigerian Army officers opened fire on protesters, resulting in numerous casualties.
On the third anniversary of the Lekki shooting incident, Mr. Macaroni led a peace walk in Lagos to honour those who lost their lives that fateful day.
During this solemn occasion, he called for the immediate and unconditional release of all #EndSARS protesters who remain incarcerated.
Mr. Macaroni emphasized the importance of preventing any pretext for violence and urged authorities to address the prolonged detention of activists, stating that some have been in prison since 2020 despite legal efforts to secure their release.
“I want to use this opportunity to call for the unconditional release of all those [protesters] that are still in Lagos prisons. There are still some protesters who have been in prison since 2020. Lawyers have been on the cases, different shouts every day but till now, they are still there.
“We are using this walk to once again call on all those concerned to grant the unconditional release of all protesters that are still in prison,” he said.
