If we said the call to end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police started five years ago, we would be forgetting that Police brutality has been a long time phenomenon and social media only helped propagate the massacre. And, thanks to social media, our voices can be heard and celebrities have asked to lead a protest against a now worrisome menace.
On Sunday, October 4, 2020, Nigerians are taking their rage to social media (again) over numerous cases of police brutality, mostly perpetrated by the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS). The outrage, like every other week, gained momentum when everyone finally realised that no one is safe anymore. Fortunately, Nigerian celebrities added their voices this time, calling for an end to the massacre and the need to reform the police.
Here are a few:
Wizkid
Donald trump is not your business!
Old man! Police/Sarz still killing
Nigerian youth on a daily! Do something!
Nothing concern u for America!
Face your country !! https://t.co/thxmoYb7VE— Wizkid (@wizkidayo) October 4, 2020
Wizkid identified with Nigerians on the #EndSARS campaign when he quoted a tweet from Nigeria’s president, Buhari, after he wished US President, Trump a safe recovery from COVID-19. The afr0-pop singer reminded Buhari of all the injustices that the SARS have made Nigerians endured.
Naira Marley
Noooooo seriously though..Jokes apart… why shoot someone that’s not carrying a weapon? Can’t u just arrest them and take them to the station??
— nairamarley (@officialnairam1) October 4, 2020
Naira Marley demanded that Nigerians need to come out in their numbers for a massive physical protest against these injustices by SARS. He also spoke against SARS killing ‘suspects’ and extorting Nigerians. Taking to Instagram Live, Naira Marley also called out the government who seem to be adamant about the issues raised.
Toke Makinwa
We don’t want a reformed #Sars, we are not asking you to appeal to #Sars, end it. We don’t want illegal check point or forcefully bullying our brothers, they have families who live in fear daily, #EndSarsBrutality #EndSars
— Toke Makinwa (@tokstarr) October 4, 2020
Media personality, Toke Makinwa also lent her voice pointing out that what Nigerians need is an absolute overhaul of the police.
To me, they did not really ‘barn SARZ’ they’re just gonna put the same officers in another uniform under a different unit. All this doings na to calm us down. https://t.co/4zhdFNlvs4
— REMA (@heisrema) October 4, 2020
— H.O.A (@Peruzzi) October 4, 2020
Press releases without any action, are way too common. We’ve been here before. #EndSARS
— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) October 4, 2020
It’s about time #EndSARS @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo for how long 😡 pic.twitter.com/Ml6CYpwAjb
— Rudeboy (@rudeboypsquare) October 4, 2020
Other celebrities who tweeted about this issue include Banky W, Olamide, FireBoy DML, Skales, Don Jazzy, Tacha, Teni, Uche Jombo, Mercy Eke, Tiwa Savage, Daddy Freeze, Burna Boy, Davido and a host of others.
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Nigerian celebrities tweeting with the #EndSARS is an encouraging development.
Depending on how you see it, it makes absolutely no sense for anyone not to be enraged by these stories. And now that most of our celebrities have joined their voice in harmony to speak against these injustices, we need to radicalise ourselves as a people and make ourselves available for the change that we seek. We can also only hope that when words are needed to become action, these celebrities will make themselves available for the change that we are all demanding.
In a recent update, Inspector General of the police, Mohammed Adamu announced that a ban has been placed on the SARS and other units of the Nigeria police. Accurately done, but this is not the first time that the police will be banning the SARS, we can only hope that it is for real this time.
Michael is a dynamic writer who is still exploring the nuances of life and being human. When I’m not writing, I’m out with friends or spending nice time alone watching movies or TV Shows.
Michael is available on Twitter and Instagram @TheMichaelFaya
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