Lai Mohammed Blames Fake News for EndSARS Protest Rise

Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information and Culture, stated that the escalation of the EndSARS protests in 2020 was significantly influenced by the widespread circulation of fake news and misinformation. The protests, which began on October 8, 2020, were initially peaceful demonstrations calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.

Mohammed noted that the movement gained momentum through social media, particularly the #EndSARS hashtag, leading to mass protests in several cities, with the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos State becoming a central gathering point. He spoke at a forum at the London School of Economics on a Friday, where he highlighted the challenges posed by misinformation and the government's efforts to address public concerns.

Mohammed criticized media coverage, particularly by CNN, for allegedly reporting unverifiable and manipulated content that heightened tensions during the protests. He also discussed the government's communication strategy to counter misinformation and improve engagement with citizens.