’SARS stop me for road any explanation you go talk am for station o. (Sir am, Sir look am sorry, am just a student. Am a student of the University of Lagos. We are just coming from the club. Ok so my friend and I. No sir I had my ID to prove.)’’.

Culled from Falz this is Nigeria.

What is police brutality?

Police brutality entails inflicting pain on citizens by law enforcement personnel which results in the violation of human rights.

Police brutality is a pandemic that is gradually spreading. It has occurred across the globe. For example, in the United States, citizens have protested over police brutality on blacks. Thus, this brought about the hashtag #BLM(Black lives matters). In Nigeria, police brutality has remained a frequent occurrence, with the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) at its centre. Each day comes with terrifying headlines; the death of innocent Nigerian youths, officers on shooting spray, rape, looting and harassing of citizens. Tales of violence has become the order of the day, as videos emerge daily through various social media platforms on the ills of the police.

The Emergence of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad

Former police commissioner, Simeon Danladi Midenda, created the Special Anti-Robbery squad in 1992. Following the death of an army colonel killed by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos. In retaliation, Nigerian soldiers matched into streets in search of police officers, when the information got to most police officers; some resigned, others fled. The absence of police officers on roads led to an increase in crime rates in the state. To curb this, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was formed with only fifteen officers, operating in the shadows without the knowledge of the army to maintain law and order in the state. Afterwards, official recognition trailed the establishment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. They commenced operation in Lagos, Nigeria. Their duty was to investigate and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery and kidnapping.

Impact of the SARS.

Positive impact

The name SARS is associated with the violation of human rights by Nigerians, with all this, it is worthy of note that they have done excellently well in the apprehending of notorious criminals. In 2015, the flame of cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes reduced by the much-feared FSARS in Edo state. Reports also state that the unit has been able to arrest three thousand suspected kidnappers across all states, which reduce the crime rates in Nigeria. They also helped in apprehending two suspected notorious armed robbers terrorizing residents of Ejigbo and Isolo areas in Lagos.

Negative impact

In 2009, the unit increased in size, as there was the need to spread out, internet fraud and cultism was at its peak, and they had to infiltrate the Nigerian higher institution system.

The new task of the FSARS made way for more success which was at the detriment of harassing innocent citizens, who began to see them as witch-hunters. FSARS arrests and persecute based on dress code, use of expensive phones and the demeanour of people. Before long, activities of their nefarious acts became a topical issue. On the 20th of May, 2010, a federal high court in Enugu, ordered the then IGP in the person of Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo to produce the officer who gunned down a fifteen-year-old boy in high school. The officer, in his statement, said he mistook the young boy for a kidnapper.

This was the start of a new beginning, while stories of killings and extortion became the order of the day. In a report by Sahara Reporters, on 27th of July 2020, it was reported that the SARS unit profits N9.353 billion from roadblocks and extortion. Recently, the nefarious activities of the FSARS have become well-known that the masses have had to voice out that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH with the killing of innocent lives! In response to this, the hashtag EndSarsNow have continued to trend on social media platforms. According to Police statistics, police personnel have shot and killed more than 8000 people since January 2000, in circumstances that remained unexplainable.

Below are recent tweets of Nigerians on the issue

Morayo Afolabi-Brown of Your View on TVC twitted

@moakabash

When did they say they have banned FSARS, what happens next? Not sure it’s time for jubilation. The real question is, will the men be redeployed to being regular police? If yes, that’s still a cause for concern. Don’t you think?

If they ban FSARS, would they be retrained, re-engineered to imbibe civility in their operations? Let’s not accept a Greek gift of “ban”. What the people need is a full structural change of the entire police apparatus #EndSARS

So, I have just read the press release from the IGP. Only their activities outside what they were created for, has been banned. That’s a start. Now, how do we the people hold them accountable to this decision?

#EndSARSBrutality #FSARS #EndSARS are all great hashtags but I still say ending it will not solve anything. You can take a man out of a ghetto but you can’t take a ghetto out from a man without reform. End it, yes, but reform is more crucial.

Osai Ojigho@livingtruely

Time to end impunity. The authorities need to take the complaints against SARS and other tactical/specialized units of police seriously. Unlawful killings, extra-judicial executions & violence are human rights abuses and need to stop. Bring perpetrators to book. #EndSARS #Nigeria.

Segun Awosanya also known @segalink stated through his interview on YourViewTVC

We were promised reform in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and now in 2020 again. It is unfair that innocent citizens are dying in the hands of those who are not even qualified security agents.

#YourViewTVC

The Inspector general of police responded to the #ENDSARS movement, on the 11th of October, 2020, he stated that the unit had been banned. The president, made a statement the following day by assuring the public that the disbandment is a move towards police reformation and other security agencies. On the 14th of October, 2020, the government via the Inspector General of Police announced that there is a new unit made to oversee the affairs of the disbanded unit-SARS. This change did not go well with Nigerians as they believe that it is a change of name, and the government are not meeting their demands. Below are some tweets as seen on twitter:

Aku N’Esi Obi Ike

@Nzomaka_Kelechi

from SARS to SWAT, is not different from NEPA to PHCN, na the same darkness we still dey witness. #AbujaProtests SWAT special weapons and tactics #PhProtest

@brysonadahcole said, “By Special Weapons and Tactics, did you mean you’re changing SARS to SWAT retaining the same set of criminals and trigger-happy murderers by equipping them with special weapons to kill the youth?”

AishaYesufu

@AishaYesufu

They bring in thugs to disrupt the election and scare voters away. They are bringing thugs to attack protesters demanding for Nigeria to be a better Nation and you are supporting them because the protesters are stressing you.

You are Nigeria’s problem

#SARSMUSTEND

#EndSWAT

AishaYesufu

@AishaYesufu

In case you don’t understand what #EndSars #SARSMUSTEND #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria is all about, let me remind you that in Nigeria, being a victim is no longer a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN!

The victim card is going round and looking for who to fall on.

Do you get it?

REFORM POLICY

It is worthy of note that the British police force does not use a gun to maintain law and order in the country.

According to GunPolicy.org, a project run by the Australian University of Sydney. In the United Kingdom, it is easier for the police to remain unarmed to maintain law and order in the state because fewer citizens have firearms. Which is the case in Nigeria, as the average Nigerian citizens do not obtain guns, it will be a good step if the police force emulates this culture to maintain law and order in the state. With the recent occurrence, some citizens think the section of the police called the FSARS should be scrap, this latest happening caused an uproar across all states. The police force made a statement via their social media handle that they have placed a ban on the FSARS.

This ban stops them from carrying out patrol duties such as; stop and search, mounting of roadblocks at checkpoints. They must also appear in their uniform while on official duties, the invasion of privacy such as checking of citizens mobile phones and smart gadgets is illegal.

As the Nigerian police force is placing measures to reform the unit, it should also be of note that they should consider the following aspects, namely:

Customer Service Training

The FSAR over the years has been in the bad books of citizens for harassment. The unit can go through the training on how to approach citizens politely. This approach will drastically reduce violence in the state.

Effective Communication

Effective communication is a process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts and knowledge such that the purpose or intention of both parties is achieved, in the best possible way. If the NPF can incorporate this act to the FSARS, it will be a good thing for both the police and the citizens.

Active listening skills

The unit should be made to undergo training on how to be active listeners. Here, they will be trained to pay attention to details. Often, FSARS officers adopt the use of combative listening skills when relating to members of the public. Combative listening skills involve a person forcing his opinions on others without listening to what others have to say.

Dress code

Appalling is the manner FSARS officials appear in their uniforms. Most times, they look like the criminals they ought to go after. They should endeavour to dress neatly and look responsible.

The demands of the protesters are loud and clear, the government should:

· #endpolicebrutality

· Stop police profiling the youths

· Immediately release arrested protesters

· Ensure justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families

· Set up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct

· Conduct a psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS officers before they are redeployed

· To increase police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.

Muhammadu Buhari in his speech once said:

“The work of making Nigeria great is not yet done, because I still believe that change is possible, this time through the ballots, and most importantly, because I still have the capacity and the passion to dream and work for a Nigeria that will be respected again in the comity of Nigeria and all Nigerians will be proud of.”

This is the time we need the president to stay true to his words and see to the demands of the protesters.

Finally, Barack Obama once stated that:

“To keep Nigeria ONE is a task that must be DONE.”

And the task involves You and I, in lending our voice and resources to the betterment of this great nation. Nigeria will be great! And the greatness starts from You and me!
God bless Nigeria!!!