Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has revealed that her children received death threats during the #EndSARS protests, an ordeal she says permanently changed how she engages in activism.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds on Sunday, Omotola said she was accustomed to personal intimidation but was deeply shaken when the threats extended to her family.
“I am used to death threats; I have received them many times.
But I have never seen anything like what happened during EndSARS. It was intense. My kids started getting death threats. That was when it became real,” she said.
Threats Extended to Her Home and Workplace
The actress disclosed that the situation escalated when unknown individuals began searching for her at her home and workplace, forcing her to reassess her personal safety and that of her children.
“When people started coming to my home and workplace looking for me, I knew it was time to think beyond myself. I had to protect others, especially my children,” Omotola explained.
She noted that the experience pushed her to step back from street protests and adopt a more strategic and targeted advocacy approach, particularly as her children grew older and more independent.
“I can’t control where they go. I can’t protect them as much. I don’t care for my life, but I do care for them,” she said.
Omotola’s Role in the #EndSARS Movement
The #EndSARS movement, which erupted in October 2020, was a decentralised nationwide protest demanding an end to police brutality in Nigeria, particularly abuses linked to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Protesters accused SARS operatives of extrajudicial killings, extortion, harassment, and unlawful arrests, especially targeting young Nigerians. The movement gained momentum after a viral video allegedly showed SARS officers killing a young man in Delta State, sparking widespread outrage.
Omotola was among public figures who joined protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, one of the movement’s symbolic centres.
Lekki Toll Gate Shooting and Public Backlash
Following the October 20, 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shooting, where security operatives allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters, Omotola faced backlash over a tweet suggesting that if no one died, the incident should not be sensationalised.
Many Nigerians interpreted the comment as downplaying reported deaths, prompting widespread criticism. The actress later apologised, clarifying that she did not dispute the loss of life and meant that the alleged shooting itself was a grave crime, regardless of casualty figures.
The Lekki Toll Gate incident became the defining moment of the #EndSARS protests, drawing international attention and condemnation.
Aftermath of #EndSARS Protests
In response to the protests, the Federal Government disbanded SARS and introduced the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit. However, protesters remained sceptical, demanding broader reforms including:
Justice for victims of police brutality, accountability for offending officers, release of detained protesters, comprehensive police retraining and improved welfare and salaries for officers.
