A woman has recounted a terrifying experience during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, claiming that a man among the demonstrators shielded her from gunfire and lost his life while trying to protect her.
The woman shared the account in a video circulating on social media, where she described how the incident unfolded as protesters gathered during the demonstrations against police brutality.
According to her, a former military officer had instructed demonstrators to bring out Nigerian and army flags, sit together and sing the national anthem.
She said protesters were following the instructions when gunshots suddenly rang out, triggering panic as people scrambled to escape.
The woman, who recalled holding a microphone on stage at the time, said she became a target as the shooting continued.
She alleged that a man who had been sitting among the protesters suddenly stood up, grabbed her and used his body to shield her from the bullets.
According to her account, the man was struck by gunfire while protecting her and subsequently died.
She described the moment as deeply traumatic, saying she was overwhelmed by the violence and struggled to understand what was happening around her.
The woman also recalled that some demonstrators had urged others not to flee, reportedly believing they could confront the soldiers if the troops exhausted their ammunition.
However, gunfire continued as protesters attempted to escape the scene.
The account has drawn attention to the personal experiences and losses associated with the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, which began as demonstrations against police brutality and calls for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protests later escalated into a national movement, with the events at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 20, 2020, becoming one of the most controversial episodes of the demonstrations.
The woman’s account has not independently established the identity of the man she said protected her or the precise circumstances of his death.
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