What is happening in Nigeria?
Nigeria Citizens protesting against Police Brutality.
There have been a series of protests against “SARS” (Special Anti-robbery Squad) and the Nigerian Police Force. SARS was initially started as a targeted task force to prevent motor robbery, cattle rustling kidnapping, and firearm thief. However, SARS has abused their power by attacking, beating, murdering, torturing, and extorting citizens of Nigeria. These violent acts have triggered the #ENDSARS movement. This ongoing campaign wants to bring attention to the violation of human rights through demonstrations and protests. The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari had disbanded SARS on October 11th, 2020. However, the fight remains because SARS has been “reformed” and re-badged various times over the years, specifically taking on a new name “SWAT” (Special Weapons and Tactics Unit) or “FSARS” (Federal Special Anti-Robbery Unit).
Thus there is fear amid the Nigerian people that police reform will not materialize and things are not getting better. Nigerian Police Forces opened fire at a peaceful demonstration in Lagos, resulting in the death of 12 people now known as the “Lekki Massacre”. Police Brutality has been a recurring topic in the media globally. Most notably after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man murdered by Minneapolis police, which caused an uproar of protests in all 50 states and across the world. Protests in Nigeria are strikingly congruent with protests and demonstrations in America: Peaceful demonstrations ending in violence and chaos due to officers opening fire into crowds of people.
Also, like in America, this fight for just treatment has been called a “Leaderless Movement”. Each sector of Nigerian Citizens wants different things, from reform, conferences, and justice for the bloodshed from the Lekki Massacre, as well as other brutalities against the youth. But nevertheless, the battle has just begun and the protesters will not rest until justice is served.
Most recently a Nigerian photographer, Yinka Badmus, was arrested by SARS for having dreadlocks. SARS and other SARS related organizations (FSARS) exploit and target Nigerian youth who have dreadlocks, new iPhones, vehicles, and other items of “status”. Additionally, another journalist was targeted, Kofi Bartels, a radio journalist, explained his harassment in detail: “They took turns to slap, punch and kick me while I was struggling with a swollen knee. At least six officers, one at a time”. Moreover, Philomena Celestine, a college graduate recalls the events after her graduation where her 2 brothers were pulled out of their car for being “cybercriminals” and beaten for 30 minutes by SARS officers. Not only is SARS the antagonist for Nigerian citizens, but the police force is also responsible for numerous unlawful killings, executions, and disappearances.
Each time the Nigerian police Force and SARS have been “reformed,” each group comes back worst than the last. There are countless events of SARS Officers and the Nigerian Police Force alike terrorizing and inflicting violence in Nigerian communities. This highlights a global human rights issue. Systemic police brutality and the lack of consequences for officers’ actions. America and Nigeria alike need reform, and we need to support their efforts and stand united against undue treatment and the insular culture of corrupt police forces everywhere. The goal for Nigerians and Americans is to fix a broken system and educate, learn, and heal from the trauma.
Ways To Support Nigeria:
Donations via GoFundMe and bitcoin
Join the fight against police brutality
Use your platform and media to spread awareness
Ways To Donate:
Assata’s Daughters: This is a woman identified femme lead organization that’s mission is to provide a safe space for gender non-conforming youth located in Chicago. They also aid the #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria.
https://www.assatasdaughters.org/donate-1
Diasporans Against SARS: This organization disperses donations throughout Nigeria to aid those affected by violence and looting.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/4ppyfs-diasporans-against-sars
End SARS: This is another organization that provides funds from those suffering from the aftermath of protests. Additionally, this organization disperses donations to verified grassroots organizations whose missions are to help those affected by police brutality.
https://endsars.carrd.co/#donate
CODE Connected Development: Not only is this establishment a vital source for SARS related articles and other information to keep you informed about the events in Nigeria, but its purpose is to also strengthen and empower Nigerian communities through activism and donations. https://www.connecteddevelopment.org/support-us/#
