𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

I was at the Alausa and Lekki #EndSARS protest grounds here in Lagos. The two places are the epicentres of the protest in terms of massive turn-out and activities.

Based on my observations, I have compiled a list of ten types of people you will find in the #EndSARS Lagos protests venues.

Fresh guys and Babes

Nengi

These are the cool dudes and girls that come to protest grounds looking fly and chick. The girls come in their tight-fitted, body-contour-amplifying dresses, while the guys come displaying muscles and showing off expensive kicks and gadgets. This set of fresh people are always moving from one place to another, so they can be noticed. The only protest they do is taking countless pictures with borrowed placards and posting them on Twitter, nothing else.

The ones that own cars seat in them and chat with their friends all day long.

Foodies

One unique thing about the #EndSARS protest is that three-square quality meals are guaranteed. Food, snacks and drinks are in surplus. You can’t be hungry unless you choose not to eat.

There are scores of people, some homeless that have turned protest venues to their homes. Because there is guaranteed food daily, they sleep, wake, eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus plenty of appetizers and desserts. It just proves once again that “food brings people together”

Protesters

aisha yesufu

These are the real activists, the fire for fire guys and ladies. They are there for only one business — #EndSARS. They are always chanting #EndSARS. Their eyes are boiling and blazing of anger and frustration, and their voices are cracked and broken because of countless hours of singing aluta songs. They are the alarms that wake people from the slumber of distraction.

Sightseers

these set of people visit the protest venues to confirm what they have seen online. They go there to have it in the record that they also showed up. No singing, no eating, nothing at all, just strolling from one spot to another to witness and savour every drama happening.

Photographers

Photographer covering the protest by Ramsey Ariguzor

They come in with sophisticated cameras and drones. If they are not kneeling to take shots, they will be stretching or rolling on the floor to capture special moments.

Thugs

Thug at Alausa protest ground

They are the protest disruptors, allegedly sponsored by politicians to disrupt the peaceful protests. They attack with dangerous weapons like cutlasses, daggers, axes, daggers and sticks.

The protesters are always on guard, keeping watch so that these unscrupulous elements won’t catch them unawares. Thugs are usually over-powered, beaten-up then fed and sent to the hospitals for treatments.

Storytellers

Lady talking to police officer during protest

If you want to hear real-life funny and emotional experiences people had with Sars officials and the entire police force, grab a pack of popcorn and chilled drink and head over to the protest ground. You will hear funny heroic stories of how frustrated guys confronted Sars officials damning the consequences; infuriating stories of how innocent people were extorted; sad stories of how people were killed for nothing, and mixed feelings of anger and pain as youths were profiled, raided and jailed unjustly.

Some people’s stories sound fabricated, but who cares? #SARSMustEnd.

Cleaners

They are efficient waste management guys and sanitation officers, ensuring everwhere is clean. They clear the protest grounds of plastic wastes, food wastes, nylons etc. They are heroes without capes, the real MVPs.

DJs and MCs

DJs’ job is to blast energy-boosting Jamz while the MCs have to pour petrol on the already flaming zeal and excitements by leading aluta choruses. The MCs also pass vital information on security alertness and educate the protesters about the significance of the movement.

Food and Drinks Organizers

This category of people is in two groups. The first group handles logistics — bringing food and drinks to the protest centres while the second group handles food distribution to the always-ready-to-eat protesters. They are the fuel that keeps the engine vibrating.

There might still be other categories of people, but these are the most strikingly obvious ones.

If you want to join the protest, it doesn’t matter the category you fall into, you are welcome.