The ongoing protests against police brutality have drawn reactions from various corners. The president of Mount Zion Films ministry, Mike Bamiloye, has lent his voice to the trending issue. He drew spiritual connotations to the #EndSARS protests.
However, some persons were not comfortable with the response of the renowned Christian filmmaker. The opposing reactions felt it was unnecessary for Mike Bamiloye to have said that the #EndSARS protests would end well because of the involvement of prayer walks and intercessions.
Bamiloye wondered why someone would react negatively to his statement. Nevertheless, he believed that some persons are not happy with the protests because they are not living up to the expectations of opposing forces.
There were expectations that the protests will be violent but the youths have been demonstrating peacefully so far. The youths were expected to burn and loot shops, and vandalize public infrastructures but they have been organized so far.
Mike Bamiloye made mention of his observations about the protesters. He said:
"I saw food companies and restaurants following the #ENDSARS protests, serving them free foods. I saw someone or a company coming to the protest with a load of slippers to give to those whose shoes or slippers got spoilt during the protest. I saw some of the protesters following the crowds picking empty water plastics thrown on the grounds to keep the routes clean. I saw packs of takeaway food being served protesters.
"I heard the wife of Daddy G.O sent packs of water and loads of puff puff to the protesters who were holding prayer fellowship on Sunday morning stationed at Government Secretariat, Lagos. I heard the protesters in Benin were cooking food for everybody on the express highway. I saw a company coming to the #ENDSARS protest to supply raincoats to the protesters as they continued protesting in the rain.
"I saw a large number of protesters holding assorted new umbrellas in the rain, supplied to them by a supporting organization. Legal teams were following the protesters to bail out whoever got arrested. Medical teams were also following the protesters to render medical help whenever the need arise.
"When some hoodlums were sent into their midst in Lagos, to scatter them, and cause some mayhems, they captured some of the wayward youths and beat sense into them and carried them to hospitals to treat them, after which they gave them food and questioned them. They ended up joining the #EndSars.
"I heard a young politician came into their midst to join them in the protest. They resisted him and sent him away from their midst, saying they don't want politicians in their midst.
"A man notorious for organizing hoodlums also came with a bus loaded with food and drinks to give the protesters, they rejected the food and drink and threw the bottled water and food at him and drove him away from their midst. I read that MFM sent packs of milk to the protesters holding Prayer Walks at the Lagos Secretariat.
"This was the one that blew my mind! On Friday, while the protest was going on in a part of Lagos, then it came to the time for the Friday Jumat prayers of the Muslims. At that particular time, there was quietness and all protest stopped. All the Christians stood by while the Muslims prayed in the middle of the road. Christians and others who are not Muslims waited patiently and quietly till they finished the prayers and the noises of protest resumed again by everybody. There was respect for other peoples religion.
"There were #PrayerWalks by these youths with placards showing their grievances, Prayers and Intercessions, and massive proclamation of The Mind of God upon the Land. That is Nigerian youths for you. No burning of cars. No smashing of glasses. No breaking into shops and looting of goods. Hoodlums who wanted to do this were resisted and in few places there were problems and crisis caused by the bad eggs.
"But generally speaking, this protest by Nigerian youths has God in it. And without the presence of police, there was no vandalism and looting! This can only be God! The western nations and world news would not report this. They were never expecting this from the Nigerian Youths.
"These are not the type of news they want. It is not a Breaking News. They would not report this. They are waiting for vandalism, looting, killing, and bloodshed. Then they would show up and begin to run up and down."
The #EndSARS protesters are seeking an end to police brutality in the country. Although the protests have been peaceful so far, it has now been hijacked by hoodlums.
It is baffling that the Nigerian army headed to Lekki Tollgate in Lagos and opened fire on peaceful and defenseless protesters while studiously ignoring the rampaging hoodlums in Abuja and Lagos!!! pic.twitter.com/txsXDImuyR
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) October 20, 2020
On October 20, 2020, soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate. It was a heartbreaking sight as scores have been reported dead.
The recent violence in the #EndSARS protests has caused the peaceful protesters to re-strategize on how to press home their demands.
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