Nigeria is a dictatorship with a democratic face – DJ Switch

DJ Switch was speaking to a CNN reporter in an interview on 18 November. The musician said she started receiving the death threats after last month’s deadly #EndSARS protest, which the DJ had livestreamed to her Instagram followers.

The singer recounted how peaceful protestors at the venue were met with gunfire shots from soldiers without warning, resulting in multiple deaths. She also suggested that sharing footage of the incident had made her a target and eventually prompted her to flee the country out of fear.

“The Nigerian army that is supposed to protect us came with no warning,” she said. “They just came with guns blazing. We heard gunshots from behind the [Lekki] toll gate, with people running. So, what we did was to sit down, stay still and wave our flags. We believed that if we waved our flags they would see that we were not there to cause any harm or trouble and we were just protesting as is our right.”

DJ Switch also said that after the army left the scene, police personnel including members of the now disbanded Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit more commonly known as SARS, showed up and also started firing shots at the protesters. In an earlier Instagram video recounting the incident, DJ Switch claimed that at least 15 people died during the shooting and accused soldiers of stealing dead bodies to hide the evidence.

The Nigerian army has denied firing live rounds during the protest at the Lekki Toll Gate. However, Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on 26 October told CNN that the military was responsible for the violence at the toll gate and the two deaths that had occurred. The chief of army staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai claimed there was no foul play by his men. “Let me assure you and all Nigerians that the Nigerian army is a professional. We follow our rules of engagement,” he said.

Government's attempts to resolve the unrest have included the dissolution of the SARS unit, ongoing investigations by the Lagos State government and pledges of police reforms by Sanwo-Olu and inspector-general of police Mohammed Adamu. But there's been widespread scepticism among the public about the efforts.

On 17 November, President Muhammadu Buhari promised to prevent future protests by engaging all stakeholders in continued dialogue, but that too has been questioned by the public.

“I do not hold what the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says to heart,” Switch said. “Nigeria is a dictatorship with a democratic face. I think that is primarily to please the international community. It is our right to protest for the change that we demand.”

She added: “This government has used force from the beginning. They started with infiltrating a peaceful protest with things but that did not work. Then they moved to bring the military in. So, the same government that says that it has banned SARS for close to four years are saying that it wants to have a dialogue. The president has not even addressed the incident that happened at the Toll Gate so I do not take his words to heart. They must show accountability.”

Additionally, DJ Switch said that although the recent events have disrupted her career, she remains committed to telling her story. The musician also hopes to return home soon.

Meanwhile, Nigerian musicians have shown support and solidarity in the #EndSARS protests, leading peaceful demonstrations and lending their voices on social media. Rapper MI Abaga this week partnered with insurance company Tangerine Life to launch Project Life, an initiative that includes the sale of insurance policies and doubles up as a relief fund for #EndSARS victims. Last month, Burna Boy also launched a fund targeted at the victims of police brutality in Nigeria.