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SARS: What Is Taking Place in Nigeria

What is the Problem With SARS?

Nigeria is in West Africa, filled with diverse terrains and people. Nigeria’s rich culture can be seen from miles away, with the vibrant colors and patterns that are displayed by their attire, the hundreds of languages spoken on a daily basis, and their rhythmic music that attracts people from around the world to the dance floor. Unfortunately, there is matter far more urgent that should be recognized globally- SARS.

TobiJamesCandids, via Wikimedia Commons, license linked at bottom of article


SARS (also known as “Special Anti-Robbery Squad) was a special unit created in 1992 by the Nigerian Police Force to handle and reduce crimes that include robbery and firearms. It still exists today, but recently this special branch has abused their powers within Nigerian borders. According to Amnesty International, “there has been unlawful killings and police brutality allegedly for years.” Amnesty has also reported “a pattern of abuse of power by SARS officers and the consistent failure by the Nigerian authorities to bring perpetrators to justice”. This ignorance of authority towards their own force “highlights the deficiencies in Nigerian police accountability that contribute to, and exacerbate, these violations.”


As the corruption within the police force increases, so has the political branch. Not only have the political officials within Nigeria held the police force accountable for these violations, but they have also not ensured the safety of innocent civilians peacefully protesting along the streets of Nigeria. Recently, in Lagos, Nigeria, there SARS ended the lives of 12 peaceful protesters. The U.S News explains, “The #EndSARS protests began amid calls for Nigeria's government to close the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, known as SARS, but has become a much wider demand for better governance in Nigeria.”


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End Sars protest, Lagos, 13 October. Photo: Kaizenify / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 International, license linked at bottom of article


Who is Helping? Who is not?

The #EndSARS movement is need of help in many ways. They need a media platform, so people are aware of the issues globally. They need a military that will enforce the proper measure to end the brutality and violence. If the Nigerian government is not handling business, a country must step in and act before there is no country to help at all. Country leaders should peacefully contact political officials that lead in Nigeria and present the solutions or offer ways to help rebuild the state of their current police force.


Yes, the world is currently under a devastating global pandemic that is affecting millions of lives every day. But that should be an incentive to push political officials within different countries further to prevent the deaths of Nigerians, especially the youth and women, who have been intensely targeted by SARS during protests.


Information about these tragic events is just now receiving global attention. The people of Nigeria are counting on this attention to lead to reform and end the denial they have received from their governmental authority. Celebrities have also used their platform to spread awareness and connect with organizations dedicated to protecting the lives of Nigerians. For instance, Beyonce, who has made music with Nigerian artists, posted on her Instagram account the details of how she will use her influence to help bring peace back to this beautiful country.

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An October 2020 ENDSARS Protest

Kaizenify, https://tinyurl.com/y5brpkam; CC BY-SA 4.0, license linked at bottom of article


How Can We Help?

What is being done may not be affecting you at home, but if you research and understand the magnitude of distress the people of Nigeria are experiencing, you must want to know what you can do to influence the change that needs to happen.

Peaceful demonstrations are always effective, no matter where you live. There have already been several peaceful protests that embodied their alliance to the leaders of the #EndSARS movement. For instance, recently in Los Angeles people held a candlelight vigil for victims that have been affected from the police abuse in Nigeria.


You must use your social media platforms, so that the attention of these horrific events are not temporary. The number of your account following does not dictate the potential a post can impact others. It also essential to listen to key voices fighting for change on Nigerian grounds like the Feminist Coalition and Yemisi Adegoke, a BBC Africa journalist living and working in Lagos in Nigeria.


It is important to be aware of what takes place in our country, but more importantly our world. Using our voices to spread change is highly encouraged to create peace for all people. Write to your local officials, advocate for political officials that believe in helping all people the best way they can. Stay educated on the topics that are not being captured on the news. We must all must work together to help Nigeria get through this tough period.


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