Losing their Youth, Nigerians are facing Daily Strife
LAGOS – Feelings of despair are in the minds and hearts of people across Nigeria due to a group that was created to stop crime. In 1992, a government police force called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was made to tackle the increasing crime rates in Nigeria. Today, they are oppressing citizens everywhere and committing heinous acts. Initially, this was due to the officers profiling the Nigerian youth for simple things such as having tattoos or a cell-phone, but now, as a result of protests, even more violence occurs to discourage more protests from happening. These incidents have left at least 56 dead, countless injured by tear gas, cutlasses, water cannons, and bullets, and thousands in fear of their lives.
Warning: Some of the content in this video can be disturbing for certain viewers.
A rallying cry by a new movement named #EndSARS is now at the forefront of the important issues that need real effort to make any change in the divided country of Nigeria. In the same way America combats their issues; similar efforts should be offered to Nigeria’s cause. From large cities to small counties, people unite together to tackle our problems. The efforts in America have culminated, and the same exact thing can happen with Nigerian citizens.
The #EndSARS movement officially took off on October 8th due to two incidents, which resulted in 2 deaths, a stolen vehicle, and an arrested witness. Protests sprung up all across the country on the 8th, with people infuriated with the treatment of their fellow citizens.
To this day, there have been no signs of stopping, even though President Muhammadu Buhari said he would put an end to SARS. October 11th was the date that claim was made, yet millions still live in fear for their lives.
On the same day the President announced he will dissolve SARS, police were harassing protestors with tear gas, live bullets, and water cannons. In some states, protests were banned. Public gatherings could not happen; this imparted more fear upon the citizens.
Protests kept occurring more frequently, with equal harassment being reciprocated. Eventually, Federal Captial Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, announced that protests would not be allowed in the city Lagos in fears of a second COVID outbreak, but Nigerians felt the government was trying to prevent their voice. There were election rallies held in the weeks prior, and the President’s daughter was married: both are large gatherings of people similar to the protests.
This ultimately led to protestors to move to the Lekki toll gate (just outside the city of Lagos), where the most devastating event of the protests so far occurred.
After 4 days, the protestors once again gathered at the toll gate. A 24-hour curfew had just been instilled in the city, but that was ignored by many people. But the tyranny began fast. Cell towers and network providers lost connection, and people using these services could not access the internet, nor make phone calls.
Regardless of no internet connection, the day went on initially with no problems. After sunset at Lekki, soldiers came to the scene and shots started being fired. The open fire seemingly continued for about 30 minutes. Protestors then gathered arm in arm and sang the Nigerian national anthem in unison, with flags waving in the background. The shots still rang in the air, but with every shot, they sang louder and louder.
Warning: Some of the content in this video can be disturbing for certain viewers
On this day, SBM Intel, a Nigerian-intelligence agency, reported that at least 12 dead at the toll gate and at least 46 dead overall across the country on October 20th. The Wall Street Journal called this a massacre. WSJ talked to many witnesses, they described the scene as chaotic and frightening. They still peacefully protested on,
One protester that the WSJ talked to, Adepeju Dinyo, said that “I am here today to protest against the killing of my children, against the killing of our children, against the killing of the youth. We want a new Nigeria, where righteousness, peace, and justice reigns.”
The strength in her words resonates with the rest of Nigeria. The rich, the poor, people of different religions are all left behind their differences and came as a united front. But this task cannot be done alone. The military allegedly tried to cover up the event and also left victims behind according to a study conducted by the Premium Times, a national-Nigeran newspaper. Ambulances were blockaded from coming to rescue the injured, and street lights were turned off.
We can offer help internationally in several ways.
President Buhari needs to be held accountable for his potential crimes, and international court should review what is happening
This is a card-page that has links to several places where you can donate to multiple organizations.
There are also several social media accounts that spread information about what’s going on:
The Feminist Coalition is one of the leading information services and organizers for the #EndSARS movement. They collect donations and supply food, and other services to protestors on the grounds where they protest.
Speak Now Africa is a community organization page that provides information about the protests and brutality and ways to help. They have a link in their bio for a template email that is for the ICC, helping them receive requests for a hearing
Amplify Africa a fund that donates supplies ranging from first-aid kits and health care to water; all this goes to the protestors.
Just as we can bring attention to issues we face, the same can be done internationally. Promoting freedom and safety is one of the jobs of humanity. The end of violence can start and can lead Nigeria to become a better country. Challenges are never faced alone, and it’s time for us to step up for humanity.