With each new day, there comes a new hashtag and a new call to action for social justice. This week it is, #EndSARS. The campaign, heralded by Nigerian youth and celebrities alike, is calling for the immediate disbandment of the Nigerian Special Anti-Robbery Squad otherwise known as SARS has gone viral. It is evident that the task force does way more harm than good in Nigerian society, especially to Nigerian youth.
Which probably correlates to why the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), as a whole, was deemed the worst police force in the world by a 2016 report from the International Police Science Association (IPSA). Of course, the NPF rejected this report by saying its the “best in UN Peace Keeping Operations, best in Africa, one of the best in the world…” Obviously, not the best with this new hashtag and campaign. Numerous users have been tweeting #EndSARS which led to the inspector general of the Nigerian Police Force calling for a complete re-organization of the task force but many Nigerians think that is simply not enough.
Take a look at some of the tweets about the horrors people have faced at the hands of SARS below.
The entire police force needs some serious revamp. SARS are particular notorious for brutal attacks on innocent youth. The police is not our friend #EndSARS
— #27 (@falzthebahdguy) December 3, 2017
Somebody's father called us Armed robbers on National TV because we innocent citizens are demanding for SARS to be scrapped. I hope his Children are proud of him. We will not keep silent until the @NGRSenate and @NGRPresident #EndSARS
— Bhadmus Hakeem 🇳🇬 (@Bhadoosky) December 4, 2017
People are not supposed to be afraid of the people that are supposed to be looking after us. A couple weeks ago, at almost midnight, my friends and I had a gun pointed at us for laughing. For laughing. #EndSARS #ActuallyTakeGunsAwayFromTriggerHappyPeopleWhoHideBehindTheUniform!
— Simi (@SympLySimi) December 3, 2017
The IG of @PoliceNg has ordered an "immediate reorganisation" of SARS. The same IG who ordered dismantling of checkpoints – an order his men have refused to obey till date. Please get serious. Police men don't obey the IG. We are on this. #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG
— Mister Mo (@moverick) December 4, 2017
#EndSarsBrutality Empower the youth , guide and protect the youth! Thats all we ask 🇳🇬
— Wizkid (@wizkidayo) December 4, 2017
Sarz have killed innocent citizens they where meant to protect. We have various videos of them assaulting citizens and abusing their uniforms and weapons provided to them to protect this same people. This has been going on for years what have you done about it ? #EndSars
— High St🌟R (@Yung6ix) December 4, 2017
In 2009, Biodun, who was a student of OAU was going to Ibadan from Ife on the 23rd of June and was Killed by SARS because they wanted to take him away and he resisted cos he didn't do anything. He was his mother's only Child. #EndSARS
— Great IFE (@OAU_gossipz) December 4, 2017
#EndSarsBrutality plenty suffer man de face. Guide and protect the people not make life miserable for them due to the pressure that comes with your work or what you going through at home. A man with gun should be mentally balance and well oriented 🇳🇬
— Olamide Adedeji (@olamide_YBNL) December 3, 2017
I was tweeting #EndSars last night, I didn't know my own brother was arrested alongside 2 friends at 11pm "for being at the bus stop"
They paid 15k to get out this afternoon.
— Dada boy (@Josh__IK) December 4, 2017
I have had my own share of the SARS menace. It is high time this harassment stopped. Our voices must be heard. #EndSARS
— MrMeYagi (@lilkeshofficial) December 3, 2017
These are SARS officers In Abeokuta harassing an innocent Young man whose only crime was that he Looked good & owned a car.
Reforms won't do. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/DdCKakglGw
— Ajebo Hustler (@oliskyz) December 4, 2017
