EndSARS my toughest moment as minister, says Lai Mohammed

The #EndSARS protests of 2020, according to a former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, remain the most challenging moment of his time in public office.

In his recently released book, ‘Headlines and Sound Bites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration,’ Mohammed described the events surrounding the protests as a period marked by fake news and disinformation, which he said posed a clear and present danger to Nigeria.

“While the suspension of Twitter was one of the toughest decisions I took while in office, the #EndSARS saga was undoubtedly the most difficult moment of my tenure as minister.

“It confirmed my worst fears about fake news and disinformation as a clear and present danger to our country. It posed a direct threat to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and, sadly, it dragged my family into an unwarranted crisis for no fault of theirs,” he said.

Recalling the outbreak of nationwide protests following a viral video of alleged police brutality in Delta State, Mohammed said, “The way the #EndSARS protest unfolded highlighted the grave dangers of fake news, hate speech and disinformation, and how these vices, when amplified, can imperil democracy itself.”

The protests, which began on October 3, 2020, rapidly expanded, prompting a swift response from the Federal Government.

By October 11, the Inspector-General of Police announced the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, while former President Muhammadu Buhari assured the public of “extensive police reforms to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.”

Despite these actions, violence erupted in several states.

According to Mohammed, security forces faced unprecedented attacks.

“The security agencies were specifically targeted. Police personnel were hacked down in the most gruesome manner that called into question the sanity of their killers. The toll was devastating: six soldiers and 37 policemen were killed all over the country during the crisis.

“Also, 196 policemen were injured; 164 police vehicles were destroyed, and 134 police stations were burnt down. In addition, the violence left 57 civilians dead across the country, 269 private and corporate facilities burnt, looted or vandalised, 243 government facilities burnt or vandalised, and 81 government warehouses looted,” he wrote.

The situation escalated in Lagos State, leading Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to impose a 24-hour curfew on October 20, 2020.

Soldiers deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate reportedly fired blank bullets to disperse protesters, Mohammed said.

However, the following day, media reports began to spread claims that a massacre had occurred.

The Federal Government almost fell for the disinformation. I had gone to see the Chief of Staff on the need for Council to observe a minute’s silence for those who were reportedly killed at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“It was when Mr President called the Governor of Lagos to commiserate with him that he learnt from the governor that no such massacre had taken place,” he added.

Mohammed described the subsequent media coverage as reckless and damaging.

He said, “Undoubtedly, the most disgraceful and irresponsible reporting of the events of October 20, 2020, was carried out by CNN.

“Its one-sided reporting breached the most basic principles of journalism — balance and fairness. How could CNN claim to do an ‘investigative report’ without speaking to any Nigerian government official?”

He also detailed the personal toll of the disinformation campaign.

“My family came under fire, almost literally. They bore the brunt. They were vilified online, their businesses boycotted and my son labelled ‘the child of a murderer.

My home address was circulated online, forcing me to seek security protection for my family and their businesses,” the former minister stated.

Mohammed emphasised that history should be grounded in evidence, not hysteria.

“A massacre leaves behind corpses, grieving families and undeniable evidence. None of these exist in the case of the so-called Lekki massacre.

“What we witnessed was the triumph of disinformation over truth. And as long as no families have stepped forward and no bodies have been produced, the truth remains unshaken: there can be no massacre without bodies,” he wrote.

Mohammed served as Minister of Information and Culture for the entirety of late President Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s (retd.) two terms, giving him a perspective on the administration’s decisions, challenges and legacy.

Culled from punch