On the #EndSARS protests

I just woke up to two pretty distressing videos in my WhatsApp. I won’t share the one of a lady getting shot, but the other is safer, so here it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtyE3KsiHh8

In our newsletter today, my colleagues had an infographic that indicates just how out of control #SARS is as a unit. Note that in January this year, they killed a DSS officer. That says a whole lot.

Despite this, we have officials tacitly defending this unit. That brings questions as to why. These questions are important so we’ll know what is meant to be done.

A simple #EndSARS will not solve the problem. It’s a deep issue with Nigeria’s police and it’s very structure.

Why?

People within SARS remit their gate takings upwards. The unit, as well as several others, are part of Nigeria’s patronage system. The country is bankrupt, so men with guns are turning those guns on the people they should protect. This has to be a part of the conversation.

If, and hopefully when, these protests achieve their aim, WE MUST have a discussion about Nigeria’s entire policing structure so that #EndSARS won’t just be another exercise in futility.

God rest the dead.