A prominent Nigerian political activist and fearless human rights advocate, Aisha Yesufu, has strongly criticized the Nigerian government, accusing it of acting like a terrorist organization during the 2020 EndSARS protest — a movement that shook the nation and drew international attention to police brutality and governance issues. In a recent interview on ‘Prime Time’, a flagship programme aired on Arise Television and monitored by LMSINT MEDIA, Aisha Yesufu condemned the government’s actions during the protest, describing them as an outright betrayal of its citizens. According to her, the events that occurred during the 2020 EndSARS demonstrations — especially the reported killings of unarmed protesters — revealed the dark side of leadership in Nigeria. She emphasized that a government that kills its people has lost moral authority and has crossed the line into tyranny. “The Nigerian government behaved like terrorists when it turned its weapons against its citizens,” Yesufu declared, referencing the Lekki Toll Gate massacre and other incidents where peaceful protesters were allegedly shot at by security forces. Aisha Yesufu Speaks on the Fifth Anniversary of EndSARS The activist made the statement as Nigerians marked the fifth anniversary of the EndSARS protest, an event that continues to symbolize the collective fight against police brutality, injustice, and abuse of power. Yesufu, who gained international recognition for her courage during the movement, expressed disappointment that five years later, no one has been held accountable for the lives lost and the pain endured by families of victims. She also called on Nigerians not to forget the essence of the EndSARS struggle, reminding citizens that freedom and justice come at a price. In her words, “We must continue to demand accountability and good governance. Our silence empowers oppression.” Her comments reignited conversations online, especially among young Nigerians who took to social media to remember those who died and to call for real reforms in Nigeria’s security and political systems. Aisha Yesufu remains one of the most outspoken voices for democracy and civil rights in Nigeria, constantly advocating for transparency, justice, and equal rights for all citizens. The EndSARS movement, which started as a campaign against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), later evolved into a broader protest against corruption, unemployment, and poor governance — making it one of the largest youth-led protests in modern African history. For many Nigerians, Aisha Yesufu’s bold statements serve as a reminder that the fight for justice is far from over, even as the government continues to deny or downplay its role in the violence of 2020.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly issued a one-week deadline to Nigerian activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, demanding that he delete what the security agency described as a “false, malicious, and inciting” social media post targeted at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to a formal letter from the DSS dated September 7, Sowore is accused of making criminal and derogatory remarks against the President in a post shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on August 26. The security agency stressed that failure to remove the controversial post within the given timeframe would leave it with no option but to take all lawful actions necessary to safeguard national security and preserve public order across Nigeria. LMSINT MEDIA recalls that Sowore, who is widely known as the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and a long-time pro-democracy campaigner, had openly described President Tinubu as a “criminal” in his online statement. The activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters also accused the Nigerian leader of deceiving the public, claiming that Tinubu’s statement about the absence of corruption under his administration was untrue. Reacting officially, the DSS through its Director of Legal Services, Uwem Davies, strongly condemned the remarks, insisting that Sowore’s words had generated public outrage and carried the potential to trigger disunity, unrest, and even a nationwide insurrection if left unchecked. This development adds to the ongoing tension between the Nigerian government and opposition voices who consistently challenge the administration’s credibility and policies.
