The cup of activities of disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the 36 Nigerian states was running over forcing many worldwide to call for its disbandment.
SARS has long been accused of harassment, unlawful arrests, torture, and even murders of the innocent and defenceless civilians.
Though thousands marched across the streets and the protests swept across Nigerian states like wild wind, the activities of some SARS operatives repulsive, turning such to bitter pastie many could not eat.
Unlucky Jimoh Isaiq in Ogun State, Nigeria slain at an #EndSARS protest on Saturday, October 10 served as a sacrificial lamb to the protest.
In a video that has gone viral and shared online, his aged father surrounded by sympathisers was sobbing uncontrollably.
Ogun Governor Seyi Makinde had confirmed that a young Nigerian was shot dead at the #EndSARS protest held in Ogbomoso Saturday, October 10.
It is gathered that Jimoh’s father who is a driver, arrived home to meet the corpse of his son after getting a call that he has been shot.
Cries rented the air as the blood-soaked Jimoh’s remains were lowered into the lonely grave on Saturday evening.
It is being alleged that Jimoh was shot by a policeman during the protest in Ogbomosho, but the Oyo State Police Command promptly denied the report, stating that none of its officers was involved in the shooting.
“The Police did not fire a shot or kill any protester as widely circulated,” Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP. Joe Nwachukwu said in a statement.
Nkàlàri® (@Agu_Iyi) tweeted Sunday, October 11, “Isiaq Jimoh, your death was never in vain. You died for this movement and we will forever remember you.
Thank you Runtown,Falz, Rinu ,Asha Yesuf,
Segalink and all Nigerian Youths.”
President, Buhari, had in a statement appealed to protesters to give the police time to reform SARS but the #EndSARSNotBanSARS hashtag continues to trend on social media with prominent figures including the daughter of the President, Zahra Buhari-Indimi; as well as the daughter of the Vice-President, Kiki Osinbajo, endorsing the movement.
Though Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu Sunday, October 11 announced dissolution of SARS, the #EndSARS campaign has continued to gain more attention around the world.
Chelsea and England stars of Nigerian descent, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori together with their teammate, joined the protest.
Also, Nigerian singer, Small Doctor took the #EndSARS campaign to his white garment church today in Lagos to protest against police brutality in the country. The singer led the protest to his White garment church in Lagos.
Nigerian singer, Falz has again weighed in on the #EndSARS protest and why he and other young Nigerians are demanding that the police unit be scrapped.
Drake is the latest international celebrity to lend his voice to the #EndSARS campaign which has gained global attention. The Canadian rapper took to his Instagram to kick against brutality of people by the police.
Moreover, Nigerian singer turned-politician, Banky W has raised an alarm of young #EndSARS protesters being arrested without access to lawyers.
Daddy Freeze has called for support from Nigerian pastors to speak up and stand with the people on #EndSARS campaign. Taking to his Twitter page, the media personality said their allegiance.
Surprisingly, an unidentified policeman was captured in viral video participating in the #EndSARS protest which has taken a prominent spot in the country in the last few days. The man wore a police uniform.
Kano state Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s media aide, Salihu Tanko-Yakasai also joined in calling out the Buhari-led administration over “lack of empathy” amid the ongoing protests across the world.
In a Facebook post, Nigerian footballer, Tony Edjomariegwe joined the #EndSARS campaign by narrating his encounter with officers from the controversial police unit.
In his Facebook post, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, has condemned the attack on young citizens attending non-violent #ENDSARS protests by police officers.
In an Instagram account, Jamaican-born British rap star, Stefflon Don has advised #EndSARS protesters in London to postpone their protest till Monday when offices are open.
Actress Lala Akindoju has taken a swipe at Lagos state Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat after he complained about #EndSARS protesters disrupting the free flow of traffic in the state.
Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari lost 100,000 Twitter followers in just three hours as bestselling author, Reno Omokri, started a hashtag, #UnfollowBuhari.
The online and offline protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force continue to gather force one week after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, banned SARS operatives from engaging in routine patrols, stop-and-search, mounting of roadblocks and traffic checks.
In fact, more than 11,000 protesters have since signed a petition to the United States government to impose visa restrictions on all Nigerian public office holders and high-ranking police officers including the IGP.
The petition entitled, “Call For US Visa Ban On Nigerian Public Officials For Negligence On SARS Brutality’, was started by Farida Adamu and it was addressed to the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.
The petition domiciled on change.org, which had 11,035 signatures as of 12:27pm, partly read, “On the 14th September, 2020, the US Embassy announced an imposition of visa restrictions on select individuals for their unpatriotic actions during the Kogi and Bayelsa States’ 2019 elections and, subsequently, the October 2020’s Edo and Ondo States’ elections.
“Though visa restrictions may not be foolproof, the peaceful election conducted a few days after the release of your statement asserts that your statement holds so much significance.
“It is with this belief in your commitment that we, as Nigerian youths, request that you make the blanket restriction as highlighted above on all public office holders in the country. This is due to their individual and communal engineering of police brutality on Nigerians which has led to the death of several youths.”
“We hereby call for the visa restrictions of all Nigerian public office holders and high-ranking police officers as well as a suspension of funding by US government agencies for police reforms if these indiscriminate acts are not addressed; it is our belief that this will nudge them to take needful actions instead of their current taciturnity,” the petition concluded.
