By Linus Akomolafe, Onyinyechi Ugwoke and Jumoke Fakomi.
October 20, 2020, ENDSARS protest was a monumental event which left marks for thousands who participated as there are still over 300 imprisoned in Kirikiri prison.
Nicholas Mba worked in a construction company and as a barber in a big salon in Lagos. He was picked up at the gate of a bank a week after ENDSARS protest by police officers and jailed for 8 months.
Nicholas shared his experience with IkejaBird.
“Before the protest, my life was okay and people who knew me, could say I am not a troublesome person. The protest was held in Ojo, Badagry Expressway, and that is where I had my protest on 20th October, 2020. A week after the protest, I was arrested on my way back from the bank. While waiting for the tricycle I was stopped by some men. I had dreadlocks and they beat me, forced me into the vehicle and drove to Ojo police station.”
While narrating his ordeal, Nicholas added that the officers who arrested him told them at the station that he was part of the EndSARS protesters and he was beaten again.
“In Ojo cell, I met some protesters who were arrested. We were taken to Panti, and I spent eight months in jail. I was released in June 2021. I must say that life after prison is like hell because I had to start afresh running around for help because I lost everything.”
He revealed that he got out through the help of a friend and that while he was in prison, he was not allowed to see his family members but was kept in the dark.
“Life in the prison is unbearable and I cannot finish telling my experience in the prison; it would take me a year because I went through a lot. Many people that knew me then found it difficult to recognise me.”
Nicholas also revealed that the ENDSARS panel kept on fighting until he got out of prison.
“The worst day of my life was my first night in jail, when I was there they told me I was going to be embalmed and I never understood what they meant. I said why would I be embalmed? Am I dead? It was at night I understood. That night was hell, they stripped me naked and a lot happened.”
He revealed that he is still attending court trials pleading with the government to grant him freedom.
“Since they have no compensation for what I have been through, I can’t fight the government, all I ask for is my free movement and the rubbish case in the court should be discharged so I can live my life.”
