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| Desmond Elliot EndSARS fire survival |
Desmond Elliot says he was nearly burnt alive in his Surulere office during the EndSARS protest. He told Nollywood On Radio that a bottle of fuel and fire was thrown into the room. He feared he would die in the blaze .
Elliot, now a Lagos lawmaker, said he could not reach his home in Lekki. A curfew trapped him at his office. He planned to sleep there. He watched TV, unaware of looming danger. Then he heard screams from his landlady’s daughter. She shouted that he did not live there .
Moments later, the fuel bottle broke on the floor. Flames spread fast. Elliot said he panicked and called his chief of staff. He never felt so scared. He called for help as fire climbed the walls. The building shook with smoke .
Desmond Elliot is a 51‑year‑old actor turned lawmaker. He faced heavy criticism in 2020 for his stance on the protests. Some called him out for calling protesters “children.” Others demanded his recall. His survival story adds new debate on trust and leadership .
The EndSARS protest began in October 2020. Young Nigerians used the hashtag #EndSARS to demand an end to police abuse. They called for the disbandment of the Special Anti‑Robbery Squad. That unit faced long records of torture, extortion, and extra‑judicial killings .
Protests grew from online posts to street marches in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and more. Thousands joined peaceful rallies. They faced tear gas and roadblocks. Solidarity spread worldwide as Nigerians in the diaspora held signs in major cities .
Amnesty International said at least 56 people died across Nigeria during the protest period. On one violent day, 38 protesters were killed. Rights groups called for urgent probes. They said too many lives were lost to police and military force .
The most shocking event came on October 20 at the Lekki toll gate. Soldiers opened fire on unarmed crowds after a curfew began. Video streams by DJ Switch showed live fire hitting those who bowed and sang the anthem. Casualty counts remain disputed .
A Lagos judicial panel later reported 11 deaths at that site. A leaked memo by local media said over 100 bodies were recovered across Lagos. Officials said those deaths came from wider unrest, not just the toll gate shootings .
Experts say the EndSARS movement marked new unity among Nigeria’s youth. They note the protests cut across religion and tribe. Yet they warn that without strong reforms, old abuses can return. They call for real police retraining and firm accountability .
Social media still buzzes with views on Elliot’s claim. Some hail his honesty. Others doubt his tale given his past remarks on the protest. Many ask if lawmaker safety will affect his duty to the people. The debate shows deep public mistrust .
Balanced voices note that no leader is above harm during mass unrest. They say Elliot’s escape should not distract from justice for protest victims. Civil society groups urge calm, calling for dialogue between government and youth .
Desmond Elliot’s story adds human drama to a national trauma. It reminds Nigerians that anger can turn to violence fast. It also shows how trust can break when leaders and youth clash over truth and power.
Nigerians now look for real change. They press for full release of panel reports. They push for justice for those killed. They call for honest leaders who share their risks in hard times.
In the end, Elliot’s narrow escape may open new talks on reform and safety. It can also serve as warning about the cost of poor dialogue between rulers and the ruled.