Omotola: EndSARS Death Threats Forced My Activism Shift (53 chars)

Veteran Nollywood actress and long-time social activist Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has revealed that her children received death threats during Nigeria’s 2020 EndSARS protests, a development that fundamentally altered her approach to public advocacy. The 48-year-old celebrity stated the experience compelled her to move away from street-based demonstrations toward more strategic, less visibly public forms of activism to safeguard her family.

Speaking on Channels Television’s “Rubbin’ Minds,” Omotola acknowledged a history of personal threats but emphasized the unprecedented intensity during the EndSARS movement. “I am used to death threats; I have received them many times,” she said. “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, and when I realised this was no longer just about me.”

She described individuals actively seeking her at her residence and workplace, a escalation that made the threat tangible. “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,” Omotala explained.

The mother of four cited the practical challenges of protecting her children as they mature as a key reason for her tactical shift. “I can’t control where they go. I can’t protect them as much,” she stated, adding, “I don’t care for my life, but I do care for them.” Consequently, she has redirected her advocacy efforts away from large-scale street protests, which she now finds too risky to guarantee her children’s security, toward more focused and calculated campaigns.

The EndSARS protests were a nationwide movement demanding an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the controversial SARS police unit. The demonstrations, largely led by young Nigerians, drew significant international attention but also faced severe state and non-state backlash.

Omotola’s account underscores the profound personal sacrifices and safety calculations often faced by public figures engaged in contentious social issues. While she continues her advocacy work, her methodology is now primarily shaped by the imperative of family protection, highlighting a pivotal evolution in her long-standing activism. Her experience illustrates how direct threats to loved ones can redefine the parameters and strategies of public dissent, even for seasoned campaigners.