Dear leaders of today, we will no longer allow you mess up our country for our tomorrow. The time has come to make it right. We are awakening.
WHAT do you think about the #EndSARS movement? Have you had any experience with this set of people? How does this protest make you feel as a Nigerian in Diaspora? What is your suggestion to the government?
These were the questions posed to a number of Nigerians living in the diaspora, and their responses were quite revealing:
I FULLY support the #EndSARS protest and much more. It’s a clarion call, a cry of rallying for the youths and an unequivocal message to the government to not only #EndSARS but reform the police. This is the time for the government to bring all erring officers to book, find out and probe the atrocities going on in the police cells and institution and finally decentralise the police.
My experience with the police has been first when I was 18 and someone arrested my brother, on accompanying him there, I was asked by the police to apologise, when I wasn’t even in the case, I asked him why should I, that I’m not in the case; I was slapped and beaten black and blue, I was piled on and locked up, and every hardened criminal was told to beat me up by the IPO at Life Camp police station, Abuja.
I was finally released when I was able to reach out to my parents two days later and was bailed alongside my brother.
I feel proud about these movements, I even want to protest with some friends in this city where I’m based. The government needs to overhaul the police, complete electoral reform; end corruption, impunity and the cronyism in all forms and let everything be in merit.
— Nsenam Udoh (Aberdeen, UK)
IT is long overdue. Police brutality is an occurrence in Nigeria that worries me to a great extent. They just go about slapping, hitting, threatening people. I personally have not had an encounter with SARS but other forms of law enforcement or police units.
Yes, and as a Nigerian I am glad this movement is happening. Honestly our government is part of the problem, let’s change our government too. Nigeria has so many issues in which fixing SARS is just one of many. Nevertheless, my suggestions are: law enforcement should be held accountable for their actions, they shouldn’t feel like when they shoot me, they will get away with it. Secondly prosecution of all law enforcement officers should become a norm; you harass someone, you are taken to court; you shoot somebody you are prosecuted; force me to give you bribes you are taken to court. Get my gist? Thirdly, the police men need to be treated better.
— Anonymous (Budapest, Hungary)
I AM quite impressed with what the youths have been able to achieve with this movement, although there are still many victories to be won, one step at a time. I am glad to see that the youths are not falling into the same trap that our parents did (pray, that is how the police are) — all those things.
I have never had an experience with SARS, however, I have my fair share of encounters with the everyday police like the fact that, at a young age I knew to always be very respectful to the police; do not question them even if they are wrong; always have your head down and do not argue with them. This fear instilled in me maybe helped my survival but on the other hand, gave the police the free hand… I guess it made them feel their actions are right. It is just like leaving your car open with the keys in it (basically inviting a robber?); making the police feel above the law but are they? No, no one is above the law.
As a Nigerian in diaspora, I know I cannot physically be there but I stand solidly behind this movement.
In regards to the Nigerian government, we would like to see some action not just words; show that you care for the masses who voted you into power. The youths now are educated, open minded, they have seen… it how it is done in other parts of the world; we want the same, we want to be proud to say, I am from Nigeria. Rome was not built in a day, it started from somewhere, this is the change we need.
— Mrs Fay (Budapest, Hungary)
HAVE I had any experience with SARS? Yes, I have. It was in Lagos State, in an open space: I was walking Into the market place to get some few items as I was going back to school in Ghana. I got jumped by someone at my back, the reason for this guy jumping on me was because of my look (hair and beard!) They checked my phone, from private emails to text, to phone numbers and after that checked my laptop but nothing was found. I showed them my ID card as a student at Regional Maritime University but still they wanted money and no one was ready to save me from their hands as a result of fear of implications, At the end of the day I had to pay them some money to let me go.
— Agwaza Moses (Budapest, Hungary)
THIS is just step 1. This movement needs to continue until we have a culture change.
I have not had an experience directly with the members of SARS.
Nigerians in the Diaspora can and should continue to support our fellow Nigerians at home. They are on the frontlines and should be supported for their courage.
Suggestion to the government will be to take a deeper look at the culture of the police system. It is not just another disbanding SARS. The culture needs to be focused on protecting citizens. Also…. pay your employees. They should not have to worry where their next meal will come from.
—- Ms. Anonymous (Budapest, Hungary)
I STAND with the youth of my dearly and beloved country Nigeria. I think the #EndSARS protest is the beginning of a greater and better Nigeria and this will show to the people in power that the youth of Nigeria are not lost but have been giving them time to change. My brothers have been arrested, beaten and extorted by these so-called men in uniform. I feel so happy about the protests because it shows that there is hope for a better Nigeria and Africa at large.
Now I am overwhelmed because I know my kids will be happier to call themselves Nigerian instead of a foreigner. My suggestion to the government is that they do things right or they step down, because the revolution they’ve always fought against has come to them and it is not going to be nice on them and the country.
— Chukwuma Christian Otunji (Ancona, Italy)
WELL, #EndSARS is borne out of frustration, hardships and not only police brutality. After all, the government had dissolved the unit and provided answers to requests by the protesters. Many protesters live on the streets because they have nothing to do, no job, nothing.
I have had to deal with police harassment in the past… These sets are not professionals and lack the right orientation. I’m currently in Nigeria, and I had first-hand experience with them on my way to Lagos… everything right now is in shambles.
Government needs to take extra care in dealing with the situation. They need to take some serious actions to show and convince the protesters and all citizens that they will fulfill promises. I think the Inspector General (IGP) needs to go.
— Olajide Ayodele ((Dubai, UAE)
THE last one week have been the proudest moments of my life identifying as a Nigerian citizen. Nigerian youth, nudged by no figure head, took to the streets to protest police brutality and subtly the rot in the system that governs us all. It has been a fulfilling and very emotional one week and I have been following everything on social media and cable TV. Somehow, we dropped all our political and ideological differences and worked hard together towards one cause.
The coordination behind the scenes was immense, the conduct on the protest grounds have been phenomenal and I have been deeply involved in the protests even though I live abroad.
The future is indeed bright, and it belongs to the Nigerian Youths.
To all those who lost their lives during the protest, their death shall not be in vain. We would get justice, and we will get Nigeria on a path that would make us proud from wherever we are, the Nigeria of our dreams.
— Jude Ahor (Budapest, Hungary)
NOW we the Nigerian youths have finally woken up to accept our responsibility to lead change, being the leaders from now and not just of tomorrow.
Although #EndSARS has been a significant start, however, our focus should be on change in value and power equation, with a clear picture of a strategically developed Nigeria. Therefore, as we are protesting, we should also be planning on how to vote the youths into power.
—- Doyin Adeeso (Adelaide, Australia)
I BELIEVE the #EndSARS movement is a worthy cause which Nigerians have embarked on to alert the world of the extra judicial killings done by these units of the Nigerian police force as well as the height of police brutality in Nigeria. As a Nigerian in diaspora I am happy that the youths have decided not to stay silent and continue to live in fear and oppression. That is why we are also lending our voices from here. We have always been told that we are the leaders of tomorrow, unfortunately for them, the youths are woke and we have decided to bring tomorrow closer than they thought. Personally, I haven’t had any personal experience with SARS but someone I know has and only him can tell his story. I have also experienced police extortion, the same people that are charged with protecting lives and properties did nothing when I was robbed. Oh, they did something and that is to collect more money before we could even make our statements.
Suggestions to Government: First the youths have already given then the five agenda but that is not all. We want Justice for ALL the victims of SARS/Police brutality. They should be tried publicly and if found guilty given the maximum punishment by law.
This is a movement and the direction is towards better governance, healthcare, education, good roads, jobs with better pay as the minimum wage can’t be N30000, yet senators are earning such ridiculous amounts with all the incentives etc. It is time they listen to the youths who are tired of being lied to. They also need to act as that is the only way they can get them off the streets.
— Charis (Budapest, Hungary)
THIS movement is long overdue. It’s time we fight for the future we relish and dream of; high time we shaped the country of our dream.
I have not really had direct experience with SARS, but with police? Yes, it’s never good and something you don’t want to remember. I feel proud about the strength of our youth, knowing that they have finally realiased the power they possess to make a change. All we want from the government is to listen to her people, be ready and sincere to change for the growth and development of the country.
— Micheal (Budapest, Hungary)
THE #EndSARS protest is long overdue. I have watched horrifying videos and read gruesome stories even from far back 1996 of the irresponsibility and brutality of the Nigerian Police and SARS. The protest is a right step to give voice to the pains of Nigerian youths hoping for a change! We stayed silent nothing changed, so maybe if the youth do not back down, engage in peaceful protest and disrupt some sectors of the economy, the government will wake up and do what is right. It’s shameful to government of our country that we are not fighting for basic amenities, but for our lives.
The people are asking for the end of the SARS department, prosecution of rogue officers and compensation of families who have lost the loves of their lives in the hands of these animals. These shouldn’t be too much to ask, this is the right thing to do to deter other officers from taking same path. As I see, the young people are not afraid anymore. There’s nothing to fear anyways as they already live every day in fear of attacks by SARS. I am proud to see this day and I support the protests.
Government should listen to the people and take actions, not release statements or condemn that acts on writing. We need actions not change of name from SARS to SWAT. We need actions not dialogue. Government should meet the 5 for 5 demands.
— Ms. Ann Akraka (Budapest, Hungary)
ABOUT the #EndSARS movement, I feel that we are finally ready to see true change as a country, as a people oppressed and disregarded for our voice and ardent clamouring. I am so happy to be alive for this revolution! ✊🏾
While I have never had direct experience with this notorious group, I have close friends who have experienced very painful and traumatic situations too hurting to recount. These protests are giving me all kinds of emotions, I am in a place where I have to face traumas I didn’t even know existed. I’m so proud of us and more impressed by how we have conducted ourselves! Unrelenting…one voice…caring for one another without ethnic or religious inhibitions!
I have no suggestions to the government, only a command or threat! Yield to the will of the people or else…!
— Ms Taiwo Oyegun (Budapest, Hungary)
I AM in full support of the #EndSARS movement and absolutely against #SWAT formation because this is not what the country needs. We are crying for justice, protection, responsible leadership, basic use of common sense and the rule of law that abides for every citizen but it seems the section of the police department is above the law.
My experience with SARS has been a tale of fear and discomfort. Driving or walking past these men that are dressed like thugs, literally like agberos (touts), fully armed with red ribbons on their guns (is this a part of the regalia?) You fear for your life even without doing nothing.
Sometime ago in Ajah (Lagos) one of these men kept cocking his gun at me and threatening to shoot simply because I was asking someone if everything was safe in Ajah as there had been recent reports of fights in that area and I saw a lot of police men (half drunk, in flip flops and tucked-out shirts), he was just outraged that I was asking why there was so many police men around and if the place was safe.
With so many reports of members of the gang (SARS) in unlawful arrests, extrajudicial killings, extortion and theft it is safe to say there is no protection coming from them and they need to go.
Bring to justice the men responsible for the killings of our citizens, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere; the word of MLK Jr that needs to be recounted constantly in the state of our country Nigeria.
Dear leaders of today we will no longer allow you mess up our country for our tomorrow. The time has come to make it right. We are awakening.
— Ms. Precious Obioyen (Budapest, Hungary)
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