During this era, police abuse or police brutality has become a common thing. Instead of the police to protect the citizens of a nation, they are involving themselves in criminal acts. Several countries around the globe have reported cases of police brutality. Most involve the police harming the citizens by torturing, beating, extorting, and even kidnapping them.
Besides, there are reports of police brutality in states such as South Africa in the name of implementing COVID-19 measures. The act of police brutality has caused several people and countries to protest against it as they demand a change.
The worst thing that comes with police brutality and demonstrations is chaos. Many people lose their lives and businesses close because of fear, hence incurring losses. The peace in a particular country goes away and things may never return to normal as they were.
Police Brutality in Nigeria
Nigeria is the latest victim of police brutality. The hashtag of END SARS is circulating all over social media. The SARS is a Nigerian police unit that has been involving itself in several police brutality cases. The Nigerian youths have been complaining of SARS’s harassment and they demanded a change in Nigeria.
The young people took their anger to the streets and protested against the police brutality. This is where the fire began. The demonstration was peaceful, but everything changed in a split of a second.
Some protesters wanted to change the intentions of the protest, and they triggered chaos in the state. The Nigerian government says that those protesters were thugs who stole and burnt down cars and premises in the 2 days. Because of this violence, the police had no choice but to take charge and stabilize the situation in Nigeria.
The police killed innocent and peaceful protesters. We see this in last week’s incidence, where soldiers fired on a peaceful crowd that was singing the national anthem in Lagos. This issue caught the attention of international countries and leaders.
Despite the shooting on that day, Nigeria’s president did not mention it in his national TV address. He warned the citizens against threatening national security and that he will not tolerate the violence. He told international parties to halt from commenting about Nigeria’s issues if they do not have all the facts right. Most Nigerians criticized the head of state for failing to mention the shootings that occurred on that day.
Demonstrations Cooling Off
A few days ago, the protests in the state cooled off and Lagos reopened its businesses. Initially, there were no businesses operating in the city because of the demonstrations. The pandemic had earlier affected these businesses and almost brought them to their knees. Recently, some business owners just went out to investigate the damage to their business.
Yesterday, Nigerians living in the UK marched through London to condemn the shooting of people demonstrating police brutality.
The New Police Order
The new police order came as the government relaxes a 24-hour curfew in the city of Lagos. The police order could increase tensions in Nigeria Adamu, the inspector general of police, told the police officers to control the public space.
Adamu told citizens not to be afraid and that they should work with the police to safeguard their people from crime.
The Way Forward in Nigeria
Monica Dede, a volunteer said:
“The government will hear us and will not shut us up. We will push for what we believe in as Nigerian youths. We are part of the system and this governance.”
MORE:
- NGO Endorses Justice in Nigeria Amid End SARS Protests
- Police Brutality: Nigerian Citizens React to Buhari’s Anticipated Address
