My children got death threats during EndSARS — Omotola

By Goli Innocent

Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has disclosed that her children received death threats during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, an experience she says forced her to reassess how she engages in activism.

The actress made the revelation on Sunday while speaking on Rubbin’ Minds on Channels Television.

“I am used to death threats; I have received them many times,” Omotola said. “But what happened during #EndSARS was different. It was intense.”

She explained that the situation became alarming when threats were no longer directed at her alone.

“My children started getting death threats. That was when it became strange and frightening,” she said.

Omotola said she was deeply involved in the protest movement, both physically and through international advocacy.

“I was on the streets during #EndSARS. I was also doing international advocacy speaking with CNN, engaging NGOs and embassies. I was very active,” she said.

According to her, the backlash during the protests was the most severe she had experienced in decades of advocacy work.

The actress said matters escalated further when people began showing up physically at her home and workplace looking for her.

“When people started coming to my house and office to look for me, I realised I had to think about others, not just myself,” she said.

The #EndSARS protests, which peaked in October 2020, were a nationwide movement against police brutality, particularly abuses linked to the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Omotola joined protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate and was vocal throughout the demonstrations. However, she later faced criticism over a tweet suggesting that the focus should remain on the crime itself, regardless of the reported death toll from the October 20 incident.

Many Nigerians interpreted the comment as dismissive of lives lost. She later apologised, clarifying that she did not doubt that deaths occurred and meant no insensitivity.

Reflecting on her activism, Omotola said she has always been vocal but became more cautious as her children grew older.

“I have always been an activist even from childhood. Speaking up came naturally to me,” she said. “But when my children got older, I had to restrategise.”

She explained that protecting her family became a priority.

“I can’t control where they go anymore or protect them the way I used to. I don’t want my children to suffer for choices I made,” she said. “I may not fear for my life, but I fear for theirs.”

The actress said the EndSARS experience marked a turning point in her approach.

“That period made it clear that I needed to change strategy. I moved away from physical activism into full-time advocacy,” she said.

Omotola has been involved in humanitarian and advocacy work for years, collaborating with organisations such as Amnesty International and the UN World Food Programme, and supporting causes across the Niger Delta, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

She also recalled earlier encounters with armed soldiers during protests, describing them as dangerous and life-threatening.

Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential film stars, Omotola has featured in over 300 films. She was named among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2013 and received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2014.