Actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliot, has shared a harrowing account of how he narrowly escaped harm during the EndSARS protests in October 2020.
The movement, which demanded an end to police brutality and the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), saw widespread demonstrations across Nigeria.
At the time, Elliot came under fire after a video emerged of him criticizing the protesters while speaking at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In a recent interview with Nollywood On Radio, Elliot revealed that not long after that controversy, his office in Surulere was set ablaze while he was inside.
“When there was curfew during the EndSARS period, a lot of bad boys came into Surulere and because of the curfew I could not go home,” he explained.
“I was stuck in Lekki so I could not go home and had to go back to my office in Surulere.
I was inside my office and never knew there was going to be anything, so I was watching the TV in my office because I had the intention to spend the night there.”
Elliot said he sensed danger when his landlady’s daughter screamed, warning the mob that he didn’t live there.
“When I knew there was a problem was when a bottle with fuel and fire was thrown into my office and it caught fire.
I had to call the chief of staff for help. I have never been so scared in my life, it was horrible,” he added.
The incident remains one of the most personal and terrifying moments he experienced during the nationwide unrest.
