THE “SARSIAN” PLAGUES AND THE QUEST FOR AN ANTIDOTE

The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (“FSARS” or “SARS”) is a unit of the Nigeria Police Force under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

The SARS was officially formed years ago to address the issue of rapid rise in the level of armed robbery, kidnapping and other heinous crimes around the country, especially in high risk areas like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin, etc.

The SARS was dreaded by many criminals who found the ruthless operations of the Formation too hot to handle. In no distant time, people began to sleep with both eyes closed as Men of the Night Watch kept vigil like bats and moved around like bees in the day.

As time progressed, the general travails of the Nigeria Police Force hit the SARS – Lack of adequate funding and welfare of officers, poor training, unmeritorious recruitment procedures, etc. All these enhanced the corrupt tendencies of the Nigeria Police and SARS, making it difficult to reckon with the great jobs being done by the few good eggs in the entire fold. 

As armed robbery increasingly became less fashionable, few Nigerian youths who are frustrated by unemployment and nepotism (surrounding employment into government institutions and establishments), poverty, low empowerment schemes, and driven by get-rich-quick syndrome, etc, took to advance fee fraud (popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo) and other cyber crimes.

The SARS appeared to have found it more attractive, without any clear mandate, to go after them in the guise of fighting cyberfraud in the interest of the country.

“SARSian” Plagues

But no sooner than later, all hell was let loose and the SARS became a plague of many versions:

Illegal detention. Illegal search. Torture. Inhuman and degrading treatment. Extra-judicial killings. Exploitation/robbery. Blackmail. Fabrications. Harassment. Assault. Gross violation of human rights.

The above and more became what could be safely described as the “SARSian” Plagues ravishing the nation as many innocent people, especially the youths, have become victims. In the Criminal Code illegally promulgated by the SARS, the following are felonies – owning a laptop, smart phone and flashy cars. Having the contact of a white person is a crime. Putting on dreadlocks is criminal. Being handsome is a crime. Riding on a bike while looking cute is a crime. 

A collection of short stories by many innocent and hardworking  Nigerian youths, detailing the level of impunity and brutality suffered in the hands of SARS may likely run into millions of pages. 

The Plagues have lingered for too long without abating. The Federal Government of Nigeria has been paying lip service to effectively addressing the situation. All the promises for a reform have been cosmetic.

#EndSARS

The recent #EndSARSProtest by Nigerians all over the world through the social media and by physical march is a perfect demonstration of the depth of damage done by the SARS over the years and the seeming non-chalant attitude of the Government. Nigerians are hungry for liberation from the “SARSian” Plagues and desperately need an antidote.

The #EndSARS slogan appears to be a confirmation that since reform is no longer within sight, the Formation should be disbanded by the Government. The people at this breaking point do not care whatever the consequences of such disbandment might be.

We must realize that the #EndSARS agitation is accompanied by #EndPoliceBrutality. The conduct of our police officers even on our highways leaves a sour taste in the mouth. There is urgent need to sanitize the system so that the genuine efforts and sacrifices of some of our police officers can be appreciated. 

Which Way?

In principle, doing away with the SARS as presently constituted is not enough. There should be a thorough investigation into the many allegations against the officers of the Formation. Heads need to roll. Citizens, dead and alive, who have suffered grave injustices in the hands of SARS need to be appeased.

The Federal Government must set in motion adequate measures to tackle the situation and put an end to the Plagues and commission healing procedures. The physical and psychological damage is unprecedented and unquantifiable. 

Again, it is not enough to end SARS and put together in its place, another group of terrorists probably with a new name. What we crave is a radical reform and a Formation of crime fighters who will professionally stick to their mandate.

stephenlegal