SocialMediaTrends: Outcomes of #OccupyLekki protest, calls to #StopKillingNortherners & more

The following discussion trends in Nigeria garnered maximum engagements across social media platforms on Saturday.

#EndSARS, #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, #LekkiTollGateProtest, #MrMacaroni

Nigerians took to social media to condemn the arrest of #EndSARS protesters who converged at the Lekki toll gate on Saturday demanding a permanent closure of the Lekki Toll Plaza until justice is served to victims of police brutality and the October 20, 2020 shooting of unarmed protesters by military men.

The protesting youths who faulted the heavy police presence at the toll gate from Friday night, have accused the government of breaching their rights to protest as video footages and pictures online exposed how protesters were harassed by security operatives and whisked away in Black Maria vans.

Among the arrested protesters at the Lekki toll gate were popular Nigerian comedian, Debo Adedayo [Mr Macaroni], Damilare Adenola who claimed he was at the venue to observe, and another man who held a placard bearing the inscription, “One Nigeria”.

Angry protesters on social media have called out the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the President Muhammadu Buhari government for allegedly breaching the tenets of democracy by prioritizing the demands of bandits and terrorists over that of well-meaning citizens.

You continue to violate our rights and you think you can get away with it? This generation is where your oppression will stop! The tactics you have used for so long is what will be the end of you! Personally, I will take this matter 2 the highest places I can. #EndSARS

— Dj Switch (@dj_switchaholic) February 13, 2021

Not all heroes wear capes, you don’t have to say anything, just retweet, picture of the day…. arresting unharmed protesters holding just bottle water…. #EndSARS #mrmacaroni pic.twitter.com/goX3GY5b1X

— Esther Oluwadamilola Iremitide (@EB_Nath) February 13, 2021

Omoo😩… I got goosebumps just by watching this movement ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽#EndSARS #mrmacaroni pic.twitter.com/RrMPyUdx4Y

— morning sun🌄 (@veva_peter) February 13, 2021

#EndSARS you guys should keep arresting till toll gate is empty pic.twitter.com/Hu8T231n1d

— Anonymous (@Your_Anons) February 13, 2021

This is how they are handling MR macaroni and other peaceful protesters. RT till someone intervenes, this is oppression in its fullest form. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/y1gq7vrVZp

— Volqx (@volqx) February 13, 2021

Auwalu Daudawa (Left) reportedly arranged the kidnap of KANKARA Boys but he recently “repented” and was forgiven. #mrmacaroni put smiles on people’s faces and stood for what is right but they victimized him…fck it #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/3tTgSmF0FH

— Cato Reborn🖤 (@Ayhands) February 13, 2021

Terrorists Peaceful Protesters#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/9crqQUY7PS

— IRUNNIA ™ (@Irunnia_) February 13, 2021

CP Odumosu says he doesn’t know where arrested protesters are being held..

That was how Pelumi Onifade was kïlled and dumped in a mortuary. The CP didn’t also know where he was held.

Odumosu, release the protesters!! #EndSARS

— Rinu #EndSARS🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) February 13, 2021

Liar is the word

He will soon tweet as a father…….

— Dimma (@sheunemmanuel01) February 13, 2021

The Power of the People is Stronger than the People in Power. The Government of the day has not arrested this guy yet they only have power to arrest Armless Protesters.
Injury to One is Injury to All #mrmacaroni #EndSARS DemNoBornDemPapaWell Ambode pic.twitter.com/xtuNeCsXdW

— Dokubo, Kenneth Promise #EndSARS (@dokubo_kenneth) February 13, 2021

Nigeria during Buhari’s government: A country where cows are treated better than citizens.
.#EndSARS

— Solomon Buchi (@Solomon_Buchi) February 13, 2021

Read Also: SocialMediaTrends: Speculations trail Obalende unrest; TwitterNG hails Falana’s knock at CBN

Oyo, Ibadan, #StopKillingNortherners

Social media users also reacted to reports of violent clashes between Yoruba indigenes and the northerners who reside in the Akinyele Local government area of Oyo state.

The violence which had reportedly lasted 48 hours was followed by killings and destruction of property at the Sasa market of the state.

With the cause of the unrest yet unknown, eyewitness reports have attributed it to alleged killings perpetrated by northern traders in the area.

Meanwhile, the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the affected communities – 6p.m to 7a.m – to forestall a total breakdown of law and order in the vicinity.

Nigerians reacted to the development and called for the end of killing of northerners in the South-West.

Yoruba people need to call their people in Oyo state to order. Ethnic cleansing of Hausa people in that state does no one good. Call them to order before it escalates further #StopKillingNortherners

— Sarki. (@Waspapping_) February 13, 2021

Apparently, there's ethnic tension brewing in Oyo state.

What's the state governor doing about it?

Of course I know Nigeria runs a failed unitary system where governors can't command police.

But Seyi Makinde has a duty to impress it on Abuja to give him security support.

— Nedu Ekeke #LekkiMassacre (@Nedunaija) February 13, 2021

This happened yesterday at Sasa Market Ibadan Oyo state.
The market now closed!
pic.twitter.com/qTR825eaGL

— Oluwakemi (@thisisOluwakemi) February 13, 2021

What is happening in Oyo State sounds like something we’ve heard before. If it escalates (& I hope it doesn’t) the people that will pay for it are the Igbo people in the north. They are always the targets of reprisal attacks. I hope something is done before another pogrom ensues.

— ULOMA (@ulxma) February 13, 2021

Dangote Trucks are smashed, burnt, the Hausa Fulani are running for their lives in Oyo state

How many times would these things keep happening before the President or Our northern leaders do something about it?

Retweet and repost for the world to see the abuse of northerners pic.twitter.com/fLWa9ixxgf

— Sarki. (@Waspapping_) February 13, 2021

Oyo state government did nothing about this pic.twitter.com/Bck1Gnf8nI

— Ibrahim Muhammed (@Ibrahim45934850) February 13, 2021

Are we in the 1950s cos I dont understand this tribal war in Oyo state again o. The hoodlums are now on the streets and the police have decided to do nothing about it. #EndSARS 

Please to RT TO SPREAD PLEASE
pic.twitter.com/21Og9YwBKX

— Steven and 14 Others (@iam_steveola) February 13, 2021

You report any emergency and they tell you to "Go and call Amotekun na" or just not respond at all. Like they basically downed tools to prove a point lol

— Ayobami Ayobami (@dondekojo) February 13, 2021

Situation report from Oyo State where complete market with shops owned by Hausa community, burnt down. Just think of this happened in Kaduna or Kano🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/yZ0sTCyhEX

— Mubarak Umar (@Mubarack_Umar) February 13, 2021

They've been killing people in Oyo state. Sunday igboho came out to tell everyone what fulani herdsmen are causing. He listed all the people herdsmen have killed. Federal govt did nothing. But now that they're retaliating back in Ojoo & Akinyele. You guys are crying for pity.

— IFA FUNSHO (@funshographix) February 13, 2021

Reprisal killing of members of another ethnic group will NEVER even out or atone for the previous killing of your kinsmen. You're only punishing innocent men for the sins of others.

STOP!!!#StopKillingNortherners#StopKillingHumans#StopTheBloodshed

— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) February 13, 2021

Stop Killing Northern Nigerians in the South, your problem is my problem and vice versa, Theres no any other way around it, the sooner we realize that we’re one Nigeria the better. I hope and pray for peace in my Country ❤️ #StopKillingNortherners

— DJ AB (@Dj_Abba) February 13, 2021

Usain Bolt

The social media space went agog on Saturday, after a video of an unidentified protester outrunning a police officer while fleeing arrest at the Lekki toll gate, went viral.

Nigerians praised the fleeing protester’s athletic skill, likening him to the World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt.

👮🏾❌🏃🏿‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/g72vgs90yV

— anytimesoon📀 (@Engr_Abi) February 13, 2021

The guy can run more than Usain bolt. #EndSARS. pic.twitter.com/SxOeQ790aU

— adewale adekemi (@adewalekemi65) February 13, 2021

Usain bolt spotted at lekki toll gate #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/Y57clrRXQC

— MEDO (@iam_eddymedo) February 13, 2021

…By Okiemute Abraham

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