Desmond Elliot relives attack during EndSARS protest when angry mob torched his Surulere office.
Lagos, Nigeria — Veteran Nollywood actor and Lagos lawmaker Desmond Elliot has opened up about a harrowing experience during the EndSARS protests in October 2020.
Speaking in a recent interview, the lawmaker detailed how his constituency office in Surulere was torched by a mob while he was inside, trapped and unaware of the looming danger.
The protests, driven by nationwide outrage against police brutality and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), saw thousands of youths take to the streets. At the peak of the movement, a video emerged showing Desmond Elliot criticizing demonstrators in the Lagos State House of Assembly—a move that drew widespread backlash.
Trapped During Curfew: Desmond Elliot Describes His Ordeal
“I’ve Never Been So Scared,” Says Desmond Elliot
In an interview with Nollywood On Radio, Desmond Elliot shared a vivid account of the night his life was almost cut short. He revealed that he was unable to return home due to the statewide curfew and decided to stay overnight at his Surulere office.
“I was stuck in Lekki during the curfew. I couldn’t go home and had no choice but to stay at my office in Surulere,” he recounted.
Elliot, a two-term representative of the Surulere constituency in the Lagos Assembly, said he was watching television when he first heard commotion outside.
“Next thing, I heard the landlady’s daughter screaming, saying I don’t live there. That was when I realized something was wrong.”
Office Set on Fire by Mob During EndSARS Chaos
Desmond Elliot Recalls Calling for Rescue as Fire Spread
The lawmaker recounted how a flaming bottle—likely a petrol bomb—was hurled into the premises by an angry crowd. Within moments, the office went up in flames.
“They threw a bottle with fuel and fire into my office. It caught fire instantly,” Desmond Elliot said, visibly shaken by the memory. “I had to call the Chief of Staff. I have never been so scared in my life. It was horrible.”
While he did not specify the extent of the damage, Elliot made it clear that the event was a turning point in his political career and personal safety. The incident, he said, left him physically unharmed but deeply shaken.
Public Backlash and Redemption Attempt by Desmond Elliot
The EndSARS protest not only highlighted police brutality but also exposed rifts between the younger generation and political elites. Desmond Elliot, who was once celebrated in Nollywood circles, became a controversial figure after publicly criticizing protesters in a widely circulated video.
Despite his later efforts to clarify his stance and show support for youth empowerment initiatives, his earlier comments continue to define his public image.
Desmond Elliot Calls for Dialogue and Reconciliation
As the conversation about police reform and government accountability continues, Desmond Elliot emphasized the importance of constructive engagement and healing.
“We all need to understand one another better. What happened that night changed me,” he said.
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The lawmaker urged the public to move past old divisions and focus on rebuilding trust between citizens and the government. But for many, the memory of that chaotic period and his perceived role in it remains a source of unresolved tension.
