For many people, Mr Macaroni famous for the lines “Mummy wa” and “Freaky freaky” and “Ooin”, acts as comic relief and a source of happiness on the online world as he is famous for creating different comedic skits on a weekly basis but following the massive #EndSARS protest which unfortunately led to the infamous massacres of hundreds of protesters at the Lekki tollgate. Mr Macaroni, (born Debo Adebayo) has acted as the voice for the youths, speaking on their behalf with regards to how they are being treated by the armed governmental forces, NPF and by extension the SARS.
On the 13th of February this year, protesters rose up once again to demand answers to the inquiry about the massacres which had been downplayed by the Lagos state government or evaded by several means possible and decided to march to the exact location of the #EndSARS massacre and demand the Lekki tollgate remains closed till further notice and rightfully so until they see justice being served. Mr Macaroni, was one of the various celebrities and online personalities who availed themselves for this event and at such the protest went on. This year’s protest was tagged – #OccupyLekkitollgate.
During the early hours of the protest on Saturday, February 13th, Mr Macaroni was present on ground, video taping the event via IG Live but that did not last long as he was abruptly stopped by armed men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and arrested alongside other protesters who where forced into the many Black Maria on site.
Mr Macaroni and the other protesters would eventually be released with him narrating the unpleasant experience he faced while being detained. Some few months later, he adds to the story. Taking to his official Twitter account, Mr Macaroni revealed how heartless he was treated despite the status he has managed to attain in the society, even saying one of the police men told him he would be long dead if not for the fact they know his social status and they know the public would inquire of him from them.
Mr Macaroni who was detained at Adeniji Central Police Station located at Okepopo Road, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria, narrates his awful ordeal dealing with the police: “When I was at Adeniji police station, the police officers took turns to beat me up. They were even calling themselves to come and beat ‘Mr Macaroni’”. Commenting further, “They said in my life when next I hear police, I will run! One said if not that people would ask about me, he would have killed me.”
Mr Macaroni’s tweet generated a lot of sympathy from fans and Nigerians, fueling their agitation for the men of the NPF.