Nigerian youths have become a target for members of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) over the years. Regularly, the people are harassed and extorted for unjust reasons. This is a recurring issue that has troubled many persons.
For the umpteenth time, Nigerians have spoken on the need for its government to ban the illegal activities of these SARS operatives. For some days now, the social media space has been filled with unending requests for the government to end SARS immediately.
These requests have been followed up with hash tags such as #EndSARS, #EndSARSBrutality #EndSARSImmediately #EndPoliceBrutality, #EndSARSNow, #EndSARSProtests, and many more on social media. The people have moved away from being called keyboard warriors to taking the bull by the horn.
In various states of the federation, the people are hitting the streets seeking for the ban on SARS operations. Government offices are also being visited with a large crowd demanding that the people are listened to. The people have been maltreated for too long. They have been called cowards for not daring to leave their comfort zones to protest the police brutality being met on them reguarly.
This show of bravery has necessitated notable personalities to join in the protest. Nigerian entertainers are leading protests in some parts of the country. Those who have been unable to hit the streets are throwing their weights behind the protesters online.
There has been an increase in the number of persons throwing their weight behind the Nigerian youths. One of such persons is Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi. In his tweet on the trending issue, Pastor Adeyemi said:
"The #EndSARS campaign continues, till the value system driving the treatment of citizens with indignity by police units and public officials changes. Public officials must use power to serve citizens, not to intimidate and exploit them. This is one restructuring we really need.''
It will be recalled that SARS has been thriving on brutalizing and extorting the Nigerian youths for a while now. This also necessitated a tweet Pastor Sam Adeyemi did in 2017 which was a back up for the one he did recently. His 2017 tweet read thus:
"The #EndSARS campaign draws attention to deep issues foundational to Nigerias development, including VALUE FOR LIFE and the RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY. Sustainable change has to be compelled by citizens. So, campaigns like #EndSARS wont go away soon."
The EndSARS movement is a laudable one. If the government does not turn up for its people, the results may not be envisaged. Therefore, other Christian leaders and influencers have also been advised to lend their voices in ensuring that the government puts a stop to harassment of her citizens.
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