The Unending Tales of Police Brutality in Nigeria
Talks about police brutality in Nigeria have dominated our national conversations more times than any other topic in the last few years, and here it seems to rear its head again like an hydra. The conversation hasn’t shifted from what hitherto has been the clamour, only that people are getting to realize the force and implication of action put behind words. People (specifically, the youths)live in perpetual fear, such that, hardly, does anyone demand what’s rightfully his or hers for fear of what might become of him or her. Folks of the older generation when asked how we ended up here can be so quick and eager to share fond memories of the struggle tales of times the military ruthlessly ceased power, with June 12 being their proudest attempt at defiance in the face of the arbitrary annulment of an election that was widely acclaimed by everyone both within and outside the country as free, fair and credible. They say, then, dissidents were either haunted down and compelled to abide by obnoxious decrees, by threat of illegal imprisonment or death. Many who couldn’t adhere by these rules under the military regime were forced to exile for fear that their lives may be cut short because of their pro-democracy and anti-military campaigns. It was common knowledge that arbitrary exercise of power was used to enforce obedience. From these narrations it could be insinuated that many of those that stayed back in the country were cowed into political oblivion with brute force through torture and kangaroo trials. And we have since moved past military rule to a democratic system of government for more than 20years now, yet not much could be said to have changed. Administratively we’ve successfully recycled the old order of leadership. Our present political class, just like those of the first republic, feel immune and disconnected from the plights of her people. The distinguishing traits, however, of the present political class from that of those of first republic is that they have mastered the art of brutality by weaponising state institutions to suit their political, party, and personal interests. Our democracy is a sham and everybody(includes not only Nigerians but those foreign hypocrites too) knows. Godfatherism has defined our elective offices, political appointments and contracts are the rewards for loyalty while merit is thrown out the door. These have festered the diseases of hate across religious and tribal lines. All of these are normal for most Nigerians who understand the order of things and know it is no good complaining over something you(feel) have no control over.
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The burning issue now is that we have no right to dignity and living has become a hunting sport like the fictional world of William Golding’s 'lord of the flies’. We cannot associate and express ourselves freely in a supposed democracy. Youths are being haunted down for the mere fact of how they look or don’t look- since you have to fit into the corporate conservative posture of responsible. The most terrifying thought of this is that the people victimising us are illegitimately authorised to do so in the guise of a unit under the Nigeria police force with the nomenclature special anti-robbery squad. I am sure you find that ironic, right? Relax because that is only one of the many ironies of a Nigerian.
Brutality has always been in the system given that that is how colonialism worked but the military juntas emboldened it more and its consequences linger on a
till this day. Remember I talked about how well we have done in recycling the same jesters to rule us once more. The rationale behind this I really can’t say; I try not to entertain the thought of gullibility on the part of Nigerians-’cause we are too book and street smart for that nonsense, you know, and then convince myself it is all political. And this conclusion of mine is not so far-fetched when you think analytical about it. Because these guys(military boys) given their antecedent in their first coming are well-versed in brutalizing any form of opposition-one even publicly launched a media campaign on brutalization with the theme kick against discipline, KAI while two others tried to convert themselves to democratically elected leaders.
The last few days have witnessed a lot of clamours for the disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad popularly known as SARS. This is not the first time calls for the abrogation of SARS will be made but you know what they say you have to bleed hard to earn your rightful place-this is a typical case of that saying. There had been protests and agitation for the disbandment of SARS three different times before now. And the police authority has been saying they’ve heard the complaints and SARS will be removed from our street. But this turned out to be the usual empty political promise we have gotten so used to at our political rallies. People were still being harassed and intimidated by these losers. Consequently; resulting in a wave of protests across the country by angry, frustrated and tired Nigerian youth. The seriousness that greeted these demonstrations was stormy, one different from what has been the case in the past. The tone of the protest is defiantly purposeful with an agenda to end sars and reform the entire police system while at it. The diverse colouration of the protesters raises the optimism of ideal Nigeria.
For the very first time, the Nigerian youths are ceasing the bull by the horn in unity, and saying to the government 'enough is enough’, without any identifiable leader they have been able to organise themselves in the most civil way to make their demands known, and maintaining that anything short of it will not be accepted. This is a protest that brewed organically online via Twitter, no national pressure body or civil right organisation could be said to have single-handedly instigated or sponsored the movement. This is one of the reasons why the movement has lasted more than a week. More importantly, and infuriating still, is the fact that the government has been unyielding to the #5for5 demands of the youth, instead they’ve resulted to the old ploy of divide and conquer by sowing seeds of discord within the ranks of protesters through negotiations with the leaders of the protest and compromising them in the process, or by shamelessly sending hooligans to attack protesters- yes, they do that too if you are wondering how low the government is willing to go to have its way. And with all these the youth are unfazed and well-aware of what is going to happen if they decide to sit at the negotiating table with representatives that can be compromised. They want the president to properly address the country on the matter and IGP too. A show of good faith will be first putting a stop to brutalising and releasing all peaceful protesters detained across the country. Their actions must match their words; committee and panel of inquiry set-up alone won’t cut it this time for these youths are looking for answers only. Nothing must be sweep under the carpet. For the government to be taken seriously erring officers responsible for the brutalising innocent Nigerian must be dismissed and tried in an open court for everybody to see. Unreserved apology and compensation must be given to the families who have been victims of police brutality. The struggle continues.
