Nigeria Speaks Up, #EndSARS
For some days now, Nigerians have protested against the country’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Most have taken to the streets to make their cries heard after apparently suffering from police brutality over the years. The movement, themed #EndSARS, has trended over the days with most of the Nigerian and non-Nigerian celebrities actively supporting it.
PURPOSE OF SARS
SARS was originally set up to deal with violent crimes, but more specifically robbery in Nigeria. For some years, however, there was alleged to be some diversion to their original purpose as more and more reports of police brutality pops up. From allegations of being stopped and searched for no reason on the streets to cases of people being shot for being uncooperative. Some Nigerians in recent days to the streets and Twitter to finally speak up against the treatment.
DEATHS
Protesting a body which is allegedly known for brutal violence is never going to be easy, #EndSARS has recorded many deaths and injuries, even though most of them are not yet reported.
Why do this to your people? 💔🇳🇬 #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSARS #EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA pic.twitter.com/UgZnTS1p8N
— AfroWired (@AfroWired) October 21, 2020
See this boy! Oh God! #EndSARS #Lekkimassacre pic.twitter.com/fqF7xDaByv
— Amaka (@amakashy) October 21, 2020
In Lagos, about 20 people were alleged dead due to the protests before Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
LEKKI OPEN FIRE
An on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International confirms that the Nigerian army killed at least 12 peaceful protesters on October 20 at two locations in Lagos. Scores more were injured. The rights group, Amnesty International, said the killings took place at Alausa and Lekki, both suburbs of Lagos. On Tuesday evening, reports and videos on social media show the Nigerian army opening fire on unarmed peaceful #endSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos after reportedly turning off the street lights and cutting phone networks and even turning off CCTV cameras. The figures are still not totally clear about the exact number of deaths.
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 @MBuhari @jidesanwoolu @AsiwajuTinubu how can u even sleep ??? God help us pic.twitter.com/t8tpgTUexs
— Davido (@davido) October 20, 2020
CELEBRITIES INVOLVEMENT
A number of celebrities, Nigerians and non-Nigerians, have shown support for the #EndSARS movement. From Burna Boy who tweeted severally to show support to John Boyega, music sensation Tiwa Savage, Kanye West, Fireboy, WizKid, Falz (who went as far as calling out Nigerian Senator Melaye for his ‘show of support’ after he, the senator tweeted about the movement) and Davido who even physically partook in the protest on the streets of Abuja.
After the Lekki toll gate massacre, many other celebrated figures weighed in on #EndSARS, including DJ Khaled, Nicki Minaj, Chance The Rapper, Cardi B, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell and many others.
REFORM
After days of protest and several deaths during the protest and scores more arrested, the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari announced on Sunday, 11th October 2020 that SARS would be disbanded. He said, ‘The disbandment is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms. We will also ensure that all those responsible for the misconduct are brought to justice”
However, the protest still continues as the protestors are displeased that some demands are not met. For some of them as reported by Aljazeera, they have heard the said disbandment before, and they want something more conclusive this time. Osai Ojibo from Amnesty International Nigeria in an interview with the aforementioned station said that the disbandment, though a step in the right direction, has much scepticism surrounding it as people are scared that the government would just set up another unit to perform the same function creating a new problem.
ECOWAS INVOLVEMENT
In a press release, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) say, they have noted with concern what is happening in Nigerian. They also say that, though citizens have a right to protest and demand better, it should be done in a ”nonviolent manner. In this regard, ECOWAS calls on to remain peaceful”. They also call on Nigerian security to ”exercise restraint in the handling of protest and act professionally.”
LOOKING FORWARD
In a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu days ago, David Adeleke (Davido) and his team had the opportunity to present the demands of the activists to the IGP. The demands were the immediate release of all arrested protestants, compensation justice for individuals or families affected, retraining of former SARS members before deployment, independent bodies to oversee investigation and prosecution of all police officers reported of misconduct and increase police salary so they are equipped and compensated for protecting the Nigerian citizenry. The IGP assured them that it would be taken seriously into consideration and asked that anyone arrested during the protest, who is yet to be released, will be released as soon as possible. He also called for calm on the street, that the voice of the activists is being heard.
Will the Nigerian government truly end police brutality and the rampant abuse of youths in the country or would it get worse? We await to see the outcome. Meanwhile, the protest is still ongoing for more systemic reforms.
Written by Eve Yayra for AfroWired Special Features
