Protesters vs hoodlums

#EndSARS historically speaking is the first protest by young people not students alone against a cause in Nigeria. The protest is led by

young sophisticated people from different walks of life complaining against Police brutality.

In the forefront are entertainers like Falz and Davido not forgetting the Hijab fighter Aisha Yesufu.

Interestingly, as the protests were going on, there were some other protesters with a cause but in opposition to the sophisticated protesters.

They too were young. They too were angry but violent.

Were they sent? Were the sophisticated people sent?

Both sides were angry and both were protesting. One had a voice, he was the protester. The other had a weapon, he was the hoodlum.

Methinks both lives matter. Both are citizens and product of our dysfunctional system.

They are both deprived. Perhaps the protesters are more independent minded and probably more appreciative of the workings of looting and cheating and the hoodlums less independent minded and more suspicious of the workings of the system and thus are more frustrated.

It is the ignorance and helplessness borne out of poor education that makes them more dependent, amenable to manipulation and therefore very violent.

Do their lives matter? Yes they do. As a teacher, I recall the question a Policeman once asked of a school that asked some students to withdraw on account of poor performance and the students were becoming violent. The Policeman did what the school wanted, that is easing the students out but in turn, he asked where the school wanted the students to turn to?

That is the crux of the matter. I have a son with special need. I am doing all I can to ensure he stands on his feet. That was the import of the Policeman's question.

Who are hoodlums? Were they born so? How did they end up in the streets?

What plans has the government for them?