How Death Threats During #EndSARS Made Me Rethink Activism – Omotola

How Death Threats During #EndSARS Made Me Rethink Activism – Omotola

Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has disclosed that her children received death threats during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, prompting her to rethink how she engages in activism and public advocacy. The revelation highlights the personal risks faced by public figures and their families when participating in social movements.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, the 48-year-old actress described the period as the most intense and threatening chapter of her life. “I am used to death threats; I have received them many times,” she said. “But I have never seen anything like what happened during #EndSARS. It was intense. My kids started getting death threats. That was when it became weird.”

Omotola said she had been actively involved in the decentralized nationwide movement, which demanded an end to police brutality and the abuses of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Her activism included street protests, international advocacy, and media engagement, and she spoke with global outlets like CNN while liaising with international NGOs and embassies.

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However, as threats against her family escalated — including reports of people showing up at her home and workplace — Omotola said she had to shift away from street-level activism to strategic advocacy to protect her children. “When people started coming physically to my home and place of work to look for me, I knew I had to worry about other people and not just myself,” she said.

Omotola emphasized that, while she was willing to risk her own safety, she could not expose her children to danger. “I can’t control where they go, I can’t protect them as much, and I don’t want my children to become victims of choices that I have made,” she added.

The #EndSARS movement, which erupted in October 2020, saw millions of Nigerians protest against police brutality, extrajudicial killings, harassment, and extortion by SARS operatives. The protests gained global attention after alleged shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, a defining and controversial moment in Nigeria’s social activism history.

Despite the Federal Government’s decision to disband SARS and initiate reforms, many protester demands — including justice for victims, accountability for abuses, and comprehensive police reforms — remain unresolved years later. Human rights groups like Amnesty International have reported that some protesters continue to face detention or legal challenges, highlighting ongoing struggles in the fight against police brutality.

Omotola’s candid reflection underscores the lasting impact of #EndSARS on activists and illustrates how personal safety concerns can shape public advocacy strategies, even for high-profile figures. Her experience also reinforces the continued relevance of the movement in discussions about democracy, accountability, and civic activism in Nigeria.

How Death Threats During #EndSARS Made Me Rethink Activism – Omotola