The issue of SARS brutality and in general, police harassment and extortion in Nigeria has been a recurring one, such that it gradually germinated to a level of impunity.
An average Nigerian has had their own share of such experience.
One would have thought that the Federal Government would act swiftly in addressing to the matter as though it needed urgent attention, but the government appeared less concerned in his handling of the issue over the years, even after so much outcries from Nigerians.
Few days ago, Nigerian youths, especially in the southern part of the country started an online movement known as #ENDSAR, one would have expected the government to take immediate action before it deescalated into a street movement, but the government paid deaf ears to it.
Even though the government claimed to be carrying out a police reform, it had nothing to show for it until the advent of the #ENDSARS protest that led to the disbandment of the police unit, after some lives had been lost.
The people don’t seem to believe in the government on the disbandment, due to the fact that, the police unit had been said to be disbanded in past years, only to find the officers that constitute the SARS unit resurfacing after few weeks.
This lack of trust in the government is due to its failure to keep up to its promises to the people, especially to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the people it swore to protect.
This protest avails the government the opportunity to prove itself to the people, by carrying our a complete reform of the Nigerian police force.
The government needs to do better in its efforts at ensuring adequate security of lives and properties of Nigerians, and foreigners living in the country.
Written by Yusuf Bello
