Six Years After #EndSARS: Pelumi Onifade, Mr Macaroni, and the Conscience of a Nation.
Last year marked five years since the painful events of October 20, 2020. I wrote about it, just as I had reflected on the tragedy before. But I honestly didn't know how much longer I could continue writing about the same painful chapter of our history every year.
Six years later, here we are again.
This year, one particular story has brought back the pain.
Pelumi Emmanuel Onifade.
A young journalist, just 20 years old, who disappeared in October 2020 while carrying out his journalistic duties.
For years, his family searched for answers. His mother lived with the agony of knowing something terrible had happened to her son without receiving the closure she deserved.
In June 2026, DNA testing finally confirmed that the body kept in a Lagos mortuary since 2020 belonged to Pelumi.
Imagine that!
A young man who left home to do his job ended up in a mortuary, while his family spent nearly six years fighting for answers.
The postmortem report later confirmed that he died from a gunshot injury.
What a country!
This brings me to another issue that has been on my mind.
I remember how some Nigerians criticised Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, for refusing to greet Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at a public event.
Some called him disrespectful. Others questioned his behaviour.
But I ask, must we always pretend that everything is fine simply because someone occupies a political office?
Debo was actively involved in the #EndSARS movement. Pelumi was also part of that painful chapter, and there are photographs of them together.
I can not claim to know everything about their personal relationship or the depth of Debo's grief. But I understand why someone who witnessed those events and continues to demand accountability might find it difficult to exchange pleasantries with a political leader.
If I were in his position, I honestly don't know whether I could have done any better.
We are human beings before anything else.
Pain is real. Grief is real. And sometimes, the things people expect us to overlook are the very things that keep us awake at night.
Nobody is under an obligation to pretend that everything is fine just to make others comfortable.
Dear fellow Nigerians,
We need to start telling ourselves the truth.
You don't have to insult anyone to disagree with them. You don't have to hate a politician to demand accountability. And you certainly don't have to abandon your conscience because of political loyalty.
When something is wrong, say it is wrong.
Say it with love, with respect, but say it.
Stop sitting on the fence when innocent people are suffering.
The politicians we defend so passionately may never know our names, yet we sometimes destroy relationships and turn against one another because of them.
I respect people like Debo and others who continue to speak about issues affecting ordinary Nigerians despite the criticism they receive.
You may disagree with their approach, but disagreement should not prevent us from recognising the importance of speaking up.
And to Nigerians living abroad, please remember that distance does not remove our responsibility.
Bad governance at home may not affect you directly today, but it can reach you through your parents, siblings, friends, and loved ones who remain there.
We can not build the Nigeria we desire while defending injustice simply because it favours our tribe, religion, political party, or preferred leader.
Together, we can build a country we are proud to call our own, but we must first learn to stand up for one another.
Today marks six years since October 20, 2020, yet the memories still feel like yesterday.
May the soul of Pelumi Emmanuel Onifade rest in peace.
May his mother and the entire family find the strength, comfort, and peace they deserve. I know moving forward can not be easy, especially when justice remains unresolved.
And may we never forget that there are thousands of other Pelumis whose stories may never reach social media, whose families continue to suffer silently, and whose names may never make the headlines.
Nigeria happened to Pelumi.
May Nigeria not happen to you or me.
Above all, never stop standing for what is right, regardless of who is involved.
We have not forgotten. 🕊️🇳🇬
✍🏾 Omo'ba Omoluabi
Omólola Adepeju
Omolola TalksTV
#EndSARS #JusticeForPelumi #October20 #NeverForget
