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DJ Switch has become the focus in the events surrounding the #EndSARS movement and has received praise for the role she played in preventing what would have been one of the greatest cover-ups in Nigerian history.
Who is DJ Switch?
Obianuju CatherineUdeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, broke into the limelight after she won the first edition of the Glo X-Factor in 2013. The young vibrant entertainer went on to earn a record deal with Sony Music, which marked the beginning of her blossoming career. Over the years, she has grown on many many Nigerians who have witnessed her performances at various shows including the Big Brother Naija reality show.The Instagram Livestream
On 20 October 20, DJ Switch was part of a crowd of protesters, ambushed by men of the Nigerian police force and military at the Lekki Toll Gate after a government-imposed curfew in Lagos State. She was at the Lekki Toll Gate with a group of vibrant youths who had been protesting against police brutality and calling for an end to the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). In a shocking turn of events, the Instagram live video by Switch caught the attention of many Nigerians who had been alarmed by disturbing rumours of a planned attack on the protesters who were at the Lekki Toll Gate. In the video, she could be heard navigating a crowd of protesters who had been thrown into utter confusion, as sounds of gunshots boomed through the audio of the live feed. She live-streamed the protest and shooting, which started before 9 p.m until she could not continue.The Impact
DJ Switch’s brave act of streaming the horrifying moment has been applauded by many Nigerians for the role it played in exposing the atrocities carried out by uniformed men on peaceful protesters. Despite several attempts to cover up the Lekki Toll Gate incidence, her live stream has shone bright, serving as first-hand evidence of the unfortunate event. In a further attempt to end the controversy that has since trailed the toll gate incidence, DJ Switch shared an account of what transpired on that day. “We were teargassed. We would run and come back and the only thing we fought with was our flags. We would sit on the floor and raise our hands up, waving the flags and singing the national anthem. That’s all we had,” she said. “They put off the light. Even if there is no power in that axis, on a good day, there is always light at the Lekki toll gate. But on that day, there was no light, the street lights were off, it was pitch black. “A boy jumped on me, shouting ‘cover her’, cover her’. I didn’t even understand why he did that. They shot that boy at my back. I fell while we were trying to pick up bullet shells. One landed close to my ear while we picked one from someone’s laps. “The military was there killing Nigerian citizens. The police and SARS came and were doing the same thing, aiming and shooting. They were pointing the gun at us and shooting live bullets. Who takes live bullets to protest ground? Who does that?” She further implored Nigerian leaders not to “insult the pains and intelligence of families affected by trying to downplay what happened” during the incident. She also displayed bullets she recovered from the scene of the shooting. Switch’s Livestream and accounts of the Lekki Toll Gate incidence have gone a long way in debunking false claims that there were no casualties during the attack. She is a hero for capturing the events of a day that will forever be remembered as one when the Nigerian government turned on its youths. Featured Image Source: Qed NGGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor at connectnigeria dot com