Continue to help save lives and support #EndSars

Please consider donating to the Feminist Coalition and EndSarsResponse to help provide medical and legal assistance for protestors and all those who have been negatively affected by SARS.

UK Protests

Throughout the UK there is increasing awareness and urgency over the need to back the #EndSars protests that are currently taking place in Nigeria. This has resulted in a number of demonstrations being held across the UK over the weekend, with marches having taken place in Coventry, Edinburgh, Nottingham and London. The event in London which took place at 7pm at Trafalgar saw hundreds gather for a candlelight procession, in remembrance of those that had perished at the hands of the policing unit. It also resembled the scenes that took place at Lekki toll gate over the weekend, as thousands of protesters remembered those that had been lost.

Scenes at the Candlelight procession in London: Picture courtesy of Posola Karunwi

What is SARS?

SARS stands for Special Anti Robbery Squad. It was initially founded in 1992, by former Police Commissioner Simeon Danladi Midenda, as a covert branch of the police force with special focus on violent crimes. The context of its birth is especially important in informing why the police unit has and does operate in the way in which it does. It was created in the context of a brief vacuum in policing in late 1992 after a series of murders by police officers, the most high profile of all being the murder of Col. Rindam. The threat of retaliation from the military saw many officers resign or flee creating the temporary vacuum. The interim period featured a sharp rise in robberies and carjackings and police would only return to their posts after talks between Col. Fred Chijuka and Aliyu Attah, the Inspector General of Police.

Since then, the squad have developed a reputation for the brutal nature of their work. This includes frequently targeting youth so that they can steal goods and valuables from them, as well as subjecting them to physical harassment, extortion and in some cases even torture.

#EndSars

The last two weeks have seen an eruption of protests as Nigerians have taken to the streets to demand change. This has been seen in the nation's capital Abuja, in Lekki phase one, in Edo state and in Osun in addition to a host of other cities and areas around the country. As Kay Ugwuede of Techcabal points out, this has not been the first attempt to ignite an #EndSARS campaign, but it has been the first to truly gain international momentum.

This particular campaign has been traced back to Saturday, October 3, and a tweet stating that a young man had reportedly been shot in Delta state, and left for dead. Even after the victim of the alleged shooting was revealed to be alive, the spark to fuel the protest had already been set.

Initial attempts from the police authorities to bargain for reform were universally rejected by protesters who wanted the unit scrapped entirely. Protesters continued to pour out onto the streets despite facing powerful water canons and in some cases live ammunition.

On October 11, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the dissolution of SARS in replacement of a new unit called SWAT. However Nigerians have heard these promises before, with similar announcements made as recently as last year. Moreover, this does not match the ongoing reality on the ground, with members of the SARS unit still operating within the country. There is also the question of transparency. Despite promising that the new SWAT unit will not include members of SARS, the decision not to name the officials previously involved in SARS or the new officers behind SWAT has led many to question the veracity of Buhari’s claims.
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What can you do to help?

Awareness, Awareness, Awareness..

Spread awareness about what is happening. You can do this by continuing to use the hashtag #EndSars. Make sure to keep informed - do not let it fall out of the International limelight as this represents one of the biggest obstacles to change.

Stay informed. Lend your voice. And support on the ground efforts where you can. I advise following @fkabudu to remain up to date.

Donate

You can also assist crowdfunding efforts built to support those on the ground. This has included aiding in the provision of food, health services and legal services as well as other assistance to protesters.

The Feminist Coalition have been at the forefront of crowdfunding efforts and have raised in excess of 70 million naira.

You should also consider donating to EndSarsResponse 

They continue to update the public on how their funds are used daily. The murder of protestors at Lekki toll gate has only reemphasised the severity of the matter. In whatever way you can, please contribute to helping bring about change and helping to #EndSars.

Mayowa Ayodele