OUR BRUTAL REALITY
Do you know what it means to be in a state chronic worry and fear? Yes, I do, I am a Nigerian Youth.
The #ENDSARS# #SARSMUSTEND# #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITYINNIGERIA# amongst other hashtags, has been trending on social media across the country and internationally, in a bid to raise awareness on the brutal realities of the Nigerian youths. Whilst putting an end to the gross misconduct, blatant violation of our fundamental human right, butchery nature and culture of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), with emphasis on the SPECIAL ANTI ROBBERY SQUAD (SARS).
The irony of these events: The police force saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives of Nigerians are the same agents responsible for massacre of Nigerians, with special attention to youths. One would ponder and wonder why the youths are their direct target? How dare I, YOU, US… live our lives on our terms. Yeah, I know… because I am fortunate to express myself as a being. The high and alarming rate of unemployment in the country, propelled and stills propels youths, to create their means of livelihood. With the emergence of entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, remote working, Nigerian youths are able to provide legitimate jobs for themselves. And all we demand is the right to live, astonishing yeah!
Having clearly not acquired the silence, complacent and cowardice of the generations before us, we stirred up to our mandate: to fight for our rights and our future, on the streets of states in Nigeria, we demanded that we be treated right!
PROTEST; for by which, was the only way to get the attention of the so called leaders. Nigerian youths on twitter emerged on the 11th of October 2020 to embark on the on-going protest, ooh ohh… we did, we rose up! Our message succinct and precise #ENDSARS# #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITYINNIGERIA#.
Additionally, It should be noted that the generation which has severally been accused and labelled as the “uncultured lazy youths”, within the first 24 hours of the protest, not only organised a peaceful protest, but also funds, which were disbursed accordingly; and also ardently documented monies spent, for public records and accountability; organised medical practitioners, ambulances for the wounded, legal aids for those illegally detained, foods and snacks for the protesters, proper disposal of refuse accumulated during every protest, all of which in the 60 years of Nigeria Independence, our leaders have not been able to achieve.
In the last 5 days of the protest, SARS and NPF were seen literally disrupting the peaceful protest (all of which was documented via smart phones and gadgets by protester). Furthermore, while the president was seen addressing the country: via a video which lasted for a minute and thirty-five seconds, simultaneously, in Surulere, Lagos state, NPF were opening fire on peaceful protesters, this led to the demise of 55 year old Ikechukwu Iloh.
Several shots were fired at peaceful protesters, not only did they commit such gruesome atrocity. NPF had the audacity to illegally detain peaceful protesters across the country: and also refused their release. It took the efforts of over five lawyers, two senators and the involvement of the speaker of the house of representative, for a commander of the police station where they were detained illegally, to grant their release.
In addition, it should be noted that the media (TV stations, radio stations), across the country refused to air the protest. International media outlets were found disseminating our struggles while our local media channels sort us out to dry. And when they finally had the decency to speak out, they ended up disseminating horrifying fake and untrue news. Our “spiritual leaders” never learned their voices, of course, as long as the tithes and offerings weren’t disrupted.
Now tell me, would you not be in a state chronic worry and fear, if we shared the same reality…?
However, WE MOVE UNDETERRED!!
WE DEMAND FOR A BETTER REALITY, YOU SHOULD TOO!!