- the protests exposed the dangers of fake news and misinformation, which he said escalated tensions and posed a serious threat
- He noted that security personnel, public infrastructure, and private assets were heavily affected, with numerous casualties recorded
- Mohammed maintained that historical records must be anchored on verifiable evidence
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described the 2020 #EndSARS protests as the most turbulent and demanding episode of his public service career.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Mohammed made the disclosure in his newly published book, Headlines and Sound Bites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration, where he reflected on the challenges of managing information during the nationwide unrest.
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According to him, the protests exposed the dangers of fake news and misinformation, which he said escalated tensions and posed a serious threat to national stability.
Mohammed recalled that despite the government’s swift actions, including the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and assurances of police reform, violence spread across several states.
He noted that security personnel, public infrastructure, and private assets were heavily affected, with numerous casualties recorded during the crisis.
The former minister also criticised international media coverage of the Lekki Toll Gate incident, describing some reports as unbalanced and damaging to Nigeria’s global image.
He added that the spread of false narratives took a personal toll on his family, subjecting them to harassment and threats.
Mohammed maintained that historical records must be anchored on verifiable evidence, insisting that claims surrounding the Lekki incident should be evaluated based on facts rather than emotion.
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