A Beacon Of Hope And Freedom : Opposing Police Brutally

On the twentieth day of October last year a memorable incident occurred in Lagos State Nigeria. The Nigerian youths who have been ignored and relegated to the background for a long time by the government made a bold statement. The youths united and co-ordinated themselves to organise protests that shook the polity.

The protests were a media used by youths to make their grievances known to government. It also served as an avenue to relay their requests most notably the disbandment of the notorious anti-robbery squad unit of the Police known as SARS. This unit of the police has been involved in the practice of tarnishing the image of youths and labeling them as Internet fraudsters. The operatives of SARS abuse their authority by harassing and extorting youths who they see as prey. These operatives have the notion that any youth who attains a high standard of living is involved in illicit crimes like Internet fraud. I sometimes muse about the involvement of SARS operatives in these cases. The SARS Unit is saddled with the responsibility of curbing cases of robberies and apprehending culprits. Rather than do this, the operatives of this unit would prefer to focus their energy on prying into the lives of Nigerian youths and exploiting them thus relegating their primary duty to the background. Is this not a misplacement of priority and responsibility by the SARS operatives?

The unlawful activities of the SARS operatives is well known to all and sundry and has been criticised for a long time. This criticisms fell on the deaf ears of government! The fact that these operatives acted out of their purview was a source of concern to Nigerians. The operatives on the other hand felt that their operations curbed the activities of dishonest youths who perpetrated financial crimes and consequently making our society unsafe and prone to economic crisis. This was the world of illusion these operatives lived in to justify their unlawful actions.

The unlawful activities of the SARS operatives inflicted pain and instilled fear in the lives of Nigerian youths. These operatives who were assigned with the task of curbing the menace of robbers became a thorn in the flesh of Nigerians. They were resented by Nigerians as they became our worst nightmare. The plights of youths who were the main targets of these operatives got to a crescendo in the last quarter of the year 2020. Youths were no longer going to accept being treated like hostages by SARS operatives. They were fed up with the inhumane treatment meted out to them and the unlawful activities of these operatives. The youths were going to make their voices heard this time! The reluctance of the government to disband the SARS unit from the Police force and implement critical reforms in the security architecture of the country was not going to be accepted by the youths anymore. They have been the victims of the anomalies of this failed system. It was either the government addresses the critical issues presented to it by the youths or prepare for a showdown that is a protest.

The government ignored these requests and continued with it's administrative duties. Unknown to them the polity was about to get heated. The complacency of government to resolve these critical issues were not going to be accepted anymore. The youths were willing to protest for as long necessary until the government looks into the critical issues like the improper conduct of SARS operatives that was affecting Nigerians adversely. The inaction of the government to address these issues gave rise to a wind of change that swept through the country. Just like the genesis of the Arab Spring Uprising that broke out like a small filame that became a wild fire so also did the protests begin. What began like sporadic protests became well organised and co-ordinated. Nigerian youths came together in one accord and shared the same goal. One major highlight of the protests was the power of unity. The demands of the protest was pursued with zeal and determination by the protesters. They were willing to go the extra mile!

Suprisingly, the epicenter of these protests was the Lekki Toll Plaza, Lekki, a highbrow area of Lagos. The Lekki Toll Plaza became a focal point for the protesters. The conduct of the protesters at this venue was commended by Nigerians. They conducted themselves in a peaceful and co-ordinated manner with inputs from everyone present. Their resolve was widely applauded too. Unfortunately, some of these protesters were going to lose their lives during the protests. The Lagos State government imposed a curfew on the 20th of October 2020 in a bid to quell the protests. The protesters continued with their protests during the curfew. They were determined to get the attention of government. The officers of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the venue of the protest where they unleashed mayhem on defenceless youths. Live streams and news reports of soldiers shooting at the protesters began to surface at night on the Internet and Media stations on that fateful day. Nigerians greeted this news with condemnation. The government was swayed and afraid by the protests staged by youths. This prompted them to use the army to disrupt the protests. Is this not cowardice on their part? The government saddled with the responsibility of securing the lives of its citizens is the one destroying it in this scenario.

A lot has happened after the terrible incident at the Lekki Toll Plaza with the government refuting claims that officers of the Nigerian Army shoot at unarmed protesters. The SARS Unit has been disbanded and a judicial panel of inquiry was set up by the Lagos State government to investigate the incident. Nigerians commend the courage of the protesters. Their initiative has paved way for engagement between youths and government consequently leading to the resolution of some critical issues raised by youths. We also recognise the contributions of those who lost their lives during the protests. They are martyrs and our heros! Their struggle and sacrifices serves as our beacon of hope and freedom. They personified liberation. Their legacy for a better Nigeria lives on! They are the Knight and shining armour of the #ENDSARS protest!

Thanks for reading folks,
Have a splendid day.

_{image source: pixabay.com}