Home Opinion #EndSARS: Almost A Revolution

#EndSARS: Almost A Revolution

95

By Reuben Abati

The increase in the pump price of fuel, in 2020, a fall-out of the deregulation of the down stream sector, did not compel the youths of Nigeria to troop out onto the streets. The additional hike in electricity tariffs was not enough to ignite their anger either. The government of the day explained to the people that the additional burden of higher prices was part of the sacrifice they had to make as citizens. The impact of COVID-19 was hobbling the country: loss of revenue, inflation, a weak national currency, foreign exchange crisis. The people showed understanding. The strongest point about the average Nigerian is that he or she is resilient, long-suffering, yet ever ready to give up a little comfort for the country’s sake. Nigerian leaders do not show as much readiness or patriotism in the same manner. Nonetheless, Nigerians continue to endure, but the lesson of the #EndSARS crisis that has now engulfed the country is that it is not good to take the people’s patience for granted.

Last week, it took an encounter between a young man and the notorious Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) in Ughelli, Delta State, for the people to cry out and show their outrage over unending cases of police brutality. A young man by name Ochuko, was first said to have been killed by the men of the FSARS. It was later established that he did not die. He was brutalized. His vehicle was seized by the police. He ended up in hospital. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN who was born in Ughelli intervened and tried to explain. He said the victim was alive and that in fact, the outfit involved in the encounter was not SARS, but Operation Delta Safe. These were policemen all the same. The youths of Ughelli therefore turned their anger on the police. Whether it was Operation Delta Safe or SARS did not matter, the truth is that the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad established in 1992 has over the years become synonymous with impunity and brutality.

CSP Simeon Danladi Midenda (assisted by DSP Taiwo Lakanu) who helped to set up the unit as a default strategy at the time, is on record as having said that the unit, one of 14 in the Nigeria Police Crime and Intelligence Division, has “deviated from the original concept.” The exact nature of that deviation is that over the years, Nigerians concluded that FSARS had transformed from being a crime-fighting unit of the Nigeria Police into a criminal unit, granted automatic immunity by official status and the guns that they wield. Rather than fight armed robbery, SARS officials spent more time terrorizing Nigerians. The many stories that have been written about this unit of the Nigeria Police convey a picture of how Nigeria itself has deteriorated and how institutions of state can be easily used to condone and promote impunity. In 1971, Nigerian policemen killed Kunle Adepeju, a promising Nigerian student at the University of Ibadan, who was not even involved in a protest about the inefficiency and incompetence of a University catering manager.

In April 1978, the police killed Nigerian students for daring to query the then Olusegun Obasanjo military regime. The government had increased the cost of meal on campuses by 50k per day. The students revolted. The Nigeria Police, this same one, joined by soldiers who were called out to quell the protests, littered every campus from Zaria to Lagos with corpses. In 1981, they killed Dele Udoh, a 24-year old, award winning athlete. He was gunned down for having the temerity to argue with a policeman. With the emergence of a unit of the Nigeria Police Force called Nigerian Mobile Police (MOPOL) Nigerians were finally confronted with the spectre of police brutality in full force. It was a para-military police unit. It would eventually distinguish itself internationally and bring laurels to Nigeria in UN, AU, ECOWAS international peace-keeping operations. But locally, the MOPOL, as it was called, was known for its human rights abuses. Under Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Adewusi (1981- 1983), the MOPOL became so notorious, so evil, that it was called the “Kill and Go Police”.

After dismissing the civilian Shehu Shagari administration in 1983, the military rulers that came after had to whittle down the influence of the MOPOL. It had become a threat not just to society but also the military. MOPOL may have been bad but SARS is worse. Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad inherited the “Kill and Go” label and turned it into a shameless brand. Nobody is spared. You only need to drive a good car, wear dreadlocks, look like you had just returned from an overseas trip, speak with a foreign accent, or look like the son or daughter or wife of a rich man, or make the mistake of being seen with an expensive phone or tablet, and you automatically become a target. Walking too confidently on the streets of Nigeria is now regarded as a crime by SARS policemen and yet, the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the freedom of movement. SARS officials pry into people’s bags, enter their houses and look into soup pots and refrigerators, and ask for a share of family assets or else, they will “kill and go” and as they often say, “nothing will happen.” And indeed, often, and always, nothing happens, and if anything happens at all, such policemen are protected by the police and subsequently rewarded with promotion and better postings. They are not answerable to anybody in the state to which they are deployed. They operate as a Federal Force! This is exactly the problem. A Police system that is supposed to protect the safety of lives and property but which operates like an enemy of the people, and the state lacks the will to do what is right, is a threat to everyone.

It has been argued that we should never have expected, and should not expect much from the Modern Nigeria Police. It was established by the colonial authorities as a force of domination, division, suppression, and control, and so the argument goes, we should expect the Modern Nigeria Police Force to remain true to its antecedents. The weakness of that argument is that it props up colonial determinism. It has been 60 years after independence. We can’t keep blaming the past. My take, in fact is that the colonial police master is much better than the post-colonial police masters we now have. Present day internal colonialists are far less human than the British colonialists. There are many Nigerians who will readily argue that colonialism had its good sides, highlighted ironically by the wickedness of a generation that inherited independence and subverted it.

Too many panels and committees have been set up to reform the Nigeria Police: why has that not worked? For more than 40 years, civil society groups in Nigeria and the International Community have been drawing attention to human rights abuses by the Nigeria Police: why has nobody listened? Every Inspector General of Police since the 1990s has talked about Police Reform, Police decentralization, Police restructuring, but that has also not worked. The current #EndSARS protest is a response to years of inaction and the deafness of the Nigerian state. The argument is not about a colonial heritage. It is about the failure of leadership. This is worsened by the fact that the protesters do not trust the Nigerian government anymore. There is nothing new about police brutality and the violation of human rights by the Nigerian State, but the people have seen that it may never end. For the past four years, there have been similar protests and demands. This is not the first time Government will restructure the notorious SARS or direct that checkpoints should be disbanded. In 2017, 2018, 2019, the police hierarchy gave the same directives. The police simply went about their duties and punished the people even more. It is tragic to have a Police system that the people do not trust.

After the aforementioned Ughelli incident, the Inspector General of Police – Mohammed Adamu announced that SARS officials had been ordered off the streets, checkpoints banned and that every SARS official must wear a uniform. The public laughed. They dismissed the directive as “an audio directive.” AUDIO used in that context in Nigeria’s street talk means mere sound, nothing of substance, it can be heard but there is nothing to it because it is deceptive and dishonest. The people have been proven right. When a people begin to call those who are supposed to protect them liars and hypocrites, something has gone crazy in that society, and a bomb is ticking. Indeed, within 24 hours after the IGP’s mollifying directives, SARS officials were seen again on the streets, acting like emperors as usual. The people then resolved that “Enough is Enough”. In Ughelli, Lagos, Osogbo, Abuja, and elsewhere, they confronted the SARS officials. The Police fought back. Nigeria now looks like a scene out of William Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. “Na on top that matter we dey since oh” as the people say.

The people standing up to the Nigeria Police are to be exact, the youths of Nigeria. The #EndSARS campaign is an expression of youth power. What we have seen is a whole generation speaking up. Their protest goes beyond police brutality. It is an outflow of pent up anger about how Nigeria has been mismanaged over the years. It is a protest about the failure of the state, the reign of impunity and the abuse of uniform, not just by the police, but Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, Road Safety officials, and anyone who wears an official uniform and thinks he or she has been empowered to humiliate and oppress less privileged Nigerians. But the Phoenix has risen. Before now, many young Nigerians kept calling on the older generation of activists to speak up for them about contemporary issues. The majority actually thought the duty of liberating Nigeria should be carried out by the same set of old actors. This time, new heroes and heroines have shown up from the most unlikely quarters. Their protest goes beyond police brutality. It demonstrates the power of technology and the nature of a modern revolution and its potency. The Arab Spring was triggered off in December 2010, by an act of self-immolation by a Tunisian youth in protest over police corruption and brutality. In Nigeria, a Revolutionary Spring has been afoot for days. Well, almost.

Nigerian youths took over not just the streets of Nigeria, they possessed the international social media space. They ignited the fire of patriotism at home and in Diaspora. There have been protests by Nigerians across the world- in Paris, London, Johannesburg, Monrovia, Dublin and elsewhere. On Twitter, a dedicated team called out international celebrities and governments to help defend the rights of Nigerians to live in peace in their country. Within 24 hours, the #EndSARS campaign became the Number one trending topic on social media worldwide. Governments and embassies joined the protest, calling on the Nigerian government to address the grievances of its angry citizens. I saw Drake, Cardi B, John Boyega, Trey Songz, Chance the Rapper, Estelle, global cultural figures asking questions about Nigeria. It was in the government’s interest to respond. The IGP has now announced a complete disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, but two days later, nobody trusted him. Nigerian youths shouted “AU-DI-O”. They have remained on the streets. They have asked that the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari must address the nation. He has now done so. It was in his interest to do so. Every step that has been taken by the Nigerian government in the last three days is not because the government listens, but a response to a desperate situation. #EndSARS was beginning to graduate to an #EndNigeria campaign. Even the Vice President and one of his daughters joined the campaign. One of the President’s daughters, Zahra Buhari also tweeted on the side of the people. The children of both billionaires and the poor are united. One of them, DJ Cuppy, has said she had to defy other people’s counsel but as a young Nigerian she felt obliged to speak up.

The #EndSARS campaign has produced new heroes. We have seen an expression of youth anger and patriotism that we never expected was possible. Omoyele Sowore, the activist who ignited the fire that now burns, must be pleased. The other hero is Aisha Yesufu, the foster daughter of the North, who has emerged as a symbol of the protest. There is Rinu, the young lady who acted as spokesperson at the Lagos State House of Assembly. And Segun Awosanya, the #EndSARS architect and spirit. Deji Adeyanju. Dipo Awojide. Reno Omokri. There are others: those who lived, those who died, the living ancestors, and members of Corporate Nigeria who stood up to be counted. The Nollywood and Creative Industry team gave verve to the protest: Falz the Bad Guy, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Paul Okoye, Rema, Don Jazzy, Mike Edwards, Genevieve Nnaji, Toke Makinwa, too many to mention… and the BBNaija queen – Tacha showing that far beyond beauty and brains, conscience matters… Notably, there is no single hero. The youths of Nigeria led themselves. They blocked politicians from hijacking the protest, and therein lies the strength of this unfolding Nigerian story. We have not yet seen the end of it. It is a much bigger story: the story of how a strategic police unit that used to be known as the “Scorpions” ended up as a group of “Monkeys”, looking for “Bananas”, so badly they became involved in land matters, snatched ATM cards, and became “AsSARSins.”

RELATED ARTICLES

95 COMMENTS

  3. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog
    and was curious what all is required to get set up?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% positive. Any recommendations or advice
    would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

    Feel free to surf to my site zuimeimopai.cn

  5. Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just don’t know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects ,
    people could take a signal. Will likely be back to
    get more. Thanks

    Also visit my site Spider-man costume

  10. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite
    reason appeared to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly don’t know
    about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects ,
    people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thanks

    Review my website – wanda cosplay

  13. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how could
    i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped
    me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

    Here is my webpage :: teampages.com

  21. Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand a lot
    about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something.

    I feel that you simply could do with a few p.c. to force the message house
    a bit, but other than that, that is fantastic
    blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage – https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/u/forbesmccarthy0

  24. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading
    it, you may be a great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future.
    I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have
    a nice holiday weekend!

    My web-site – https://www.cosmanles.com/

  25. I think that what you published was actually very reasonable.
    However, think on this, what if you were to write a killer title?
    I am not suggesting your content is not good, however suppose you added something that grabbed
    folk’s attention? I mean #EndSARS: Almost A Revolution – Law and
    Society Magazine. is kinda boring. You should look at Yahoo’s front page
    and note how they create article titles to get viewers to click.
    You might add a video or a pic or two to get people interested about everything’ve written. Just
    my opinion, it would make your posts a little bit more interesting.

    Feel free to visit my blog post :: gradywolfe.weebly.com

  26. Heya exceptional website! Does running a blog similar to this require a large amount of work?
    I have virtually no knowledge of coding but I had
    been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
    Anyways, if you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.

    I know this is off topic nevertheless I simply wanted to
    ask. Appreciate it!

    Here is my homepage https://outgoingincome.com/forums/users/crabwallet7/

  27. When someone writes an post he/she maintains the image of a
    user in his/her brain that how a user can understand it.
    Thus that’s why this post is outstdanding. Thanks!

    Feel free to surf to my blog post tsxxue.com

  28. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just
    your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all.
    However just imagine if you added some great pictures or video clips to give
    your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this site could definitely be one of the
    most beneficial in its niche. Amazing blog!

    Also visit my website … tanhuala.com

  31. With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My
    website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any ways to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.

    Here is my web site – http://www.docspal.com

  33. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should
    publish more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people do not talk about such issues.
    To the next! Kind regards!!

    My blog; read more..

  34. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you
    wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics
    to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent
    blog. An excellent read. I will definitely
    be back.

    My homepage :: http://www.pinterest.com

  35. This design is steller! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused.

    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog
    (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented
    it. Too cool!

    Here is my blog; maltafawuq.net

  37. After checking out a handful of the articles on your web site,
    I honestly like your way of writing a blog. I book marked it to
    my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my website too
    and tell me how you feel.

    my web site :: http://www.gamespot.com

  43. Howdy! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
    Carry on the fantastic work!

    my blog post – weixing13.com

  44. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
    I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of
    your useful information. Thanks for the post.
    I will certainly return.

    My site atavi.com

  45. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been conducting a
    little research on this. And he in fact ordered
    me lunch due to the fact that I discovered it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!

    But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this topic here on your website.

    My webpage uz-gis.in.ua

  49. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.

    Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently
    quickly.

    Also visit my blog; wensha.ca

  52. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just
    posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us
    something enlightening to read?

    Feel free to visit my web blog … http://umanfootball.com.ua/user/celeryself4/

  58. Admiring the dedication you put into your site and in depth information you offer.

    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Wonderful read!

    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds
    to my Google account.

    Review my blog post … http://nutshellurl.com/strausspratt3437

  59. Good day very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful ..
    Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am satisfied to seek out a lot of useful info here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.
    . . . . .

    my web page: pandora.nla.gov.au

  62. I do not even know how I stopped up right here, however I assumed this submit was once good.
    I don’t recognise who you are however certainly you are going to
    a famous blogger for those who are not already.
    Cheers!

    Here is my page – zenwriting.net

  65. I just like the helpful information you provide for your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check once more right here frequently.
    I’m somewhat sure I will be told plenty of new stuff right right
    here! Best of luck for the following!

    My page clashofcryptos.trade

  67. I believe what you posted made a ton of sense. However, what about this?

    suppose you typed a catchier title? I ain’t suggesting your information is not good, but
    suppose you added something to maybe grab folk’s attention? I mean #EndSARS: Almost A
    Revolution – Law and Society Magazine. is a little vanilla.
    You should peek at Yahoo’s front page and note how they create article headlines to grab people
    to click. You might add a video or a related picture or two to grab people excited about
    what you’ve got to say. In my opinion, it would make your blog a little bit more interesting.

    Feel free to visit my web site :: files.fm

  70. First of all I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear
    your thoughts before writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.
    I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are
    wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips?
    Thank you!

    Also visit my page; Brianne

  71. I have been surfing on-line more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours.
    It is pretty price enough for me. In my view, if all website
    owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did, the internet will be much
    more helpful than ever before.

    Feel free to visit my web site – trade-britanica.trade

  72. I every time used to study post in news papers but now
    as I am a user of internet thus from now I am
    using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.

    My site: discuss

  73. Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Feel free to visit my blog post :: https://kwafoo.coe.neu.edu:7788/git/oxygenskill4

  74. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.

    The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Internet
    explorer. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with
    browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.

    The design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Thanks

    Here is my web site … tuffclassified.com

  76. I’m not sure why but this site is loading incredibly slow for me.

    Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end?

    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

    Here is my page … http://www.mixcloud.com

  77. First of all I would like to say great blog! I had a
    quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before
    writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
    I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
    Cheers!

    Here is my web site: wdomachzbetonu.pl

  83. Admiring the dedication you put into your website and in depth information you present.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Excellent read!
    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google
    account.

    Here is my web site … https://nqtm.vn/forums/users/pumaalarm91/

  85. Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up
    and the rest of the website is also really good.

    Feel free to visit my web page; discuss

  86. If some one desires expert view on the topic of blogging
    and site-building then i propose him/her to visit this blog, Keep up the good job.

    Take a look at my page … xt_blog

  88. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of
    plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it
    appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement.

    Do you know any methods to help stop content from being ripped
    off? I’d really appreciate it.

    Also visit my web site :: 1419.team

  89. Howdy, I think your website may be having browser compatibility issues.
    Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it has
    some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick
    heads up! Besides that, fantastic blog!

    Look at my web page – http://www.ccwzz8.com

  91. After looking over a few of the blog posts on your blog, I seriously appreciate your way of writing
    a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and
    will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as well and let me know what you
    think.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site – authentic superman costumes

  92. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website,
    how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal.

    I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided
    bright clear idea

    Feel free to surf to my web-site kikipedia.win

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

© Copyright -2020 Law and Society Magazine
Exit mobile version