Like most you have probably heard the talk about Nigeria and End SARS. However, some are still confused as to what is happening, and how this hashtag became so important.
SARS stands for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. This is a division of the Police force in Nigeria. But unlike thier name SARS has been acting in robbery, kidnapping, murder, theft, rape, torture, unlawful arrests, humiliation, unlawful detention, extrajudicial killings, and extortion in Nigeria. (Source )
The nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality have rocked Nigeria for more than two weeks. They started after a video circulated of a man being beaten, apparently by officers of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, known as SARS.
Unfortunately, as Nigerian citizens protest End SARS violence occured, reportedly killing 51 civilians along with 18 security forces following days of peaceful protests. (source)
The President of Nigeria have spoken out, but not in the way of respect for the lives that have been lost and the citizens that have suffered.
On Friday President Muhammadu Buhari stated that government “will not fold its arms and allow miscreants and criminals continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism.”
The comments made would ignite more anger and sadness with citizens.
Due to the killings a 24 hour curfew was placed on Nigeria.
Curfew was violated by many peaceful protestors. Shots were heard throughout one of the biggest cities of Nigeria, Lagos. Nevertheless, reportedly no one was killed during the curfew rebellion.
Lagos state eased curfew restrictions on Saturday to 6 p.m.-8 a.m. Workers took to streets to sweep away broken glass while cars again filled the roads.
In response to the protests, the government announced it would disband the SARS unit, which Amnesty International says has been responsible for many cases of torture and killings.
The demonstrators’ demands have widened to include calls for accountable government, respect for human rights and an end to corruption in Africa’s most populous nation of 196 million. Despite massive oil wealth and one of Africa’s largest economies, Nigeria’s people have high levels of poverty and lack of basic services, as a result of rampant corruption, charge rights groups. (Source)
Residents of Lagos state who have been abused by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) can now write a petition against the police unit.
Also, Lagosians can now claim compensation from the government if their complaints warrant it.
“They will be receiving petitions from Monday. If you need to send the petition via email, their address is judicialpanelonSARS@lagos.gov.ng.“We will expect everyone that has a case or petition or something to pass unto this panel. They have been empowered extensively to determine how they run and have been empowered extensively to determine how they run and conduct themselves at the panel.” ( Source )
