A Global Call to Justice

Words Sarah Adama

What happens when the people that are supposed to protect and serve the people - do the complete opposite? The people protest. Nigerians aren’t protesting for electricity or water, they are protesting for the right to life – a fundamental human right. Sarah Adama explains more about what has been happening in Nigeria.

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SARS, the special Anti-Robbery unit, was formed in 1992 to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes. Since its formation, the police force has harassed, extorted, violated and murdered innocent citizens. The movement to end SARS has been ongoing for the last few years, since 2017, however it is only now receiving rightful attention with the use of social media and technology. Nigerian citizens mobilised funds and resources whilst maintaining a peaceful protest, social media network became the quickest and strongest tool for mobilising the masses. When the Government shut down digital payments, citizens moved to cryptocurrency and bitcoin as a way of getting funds into the country. The ongoing incidents have been censored from mainstream media and the international community has called upon mainstream news outlets, the United Nations and the Western Governments to intervene. 

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When Nigerian protestors laid demands to disband police forces before the Federal Government, the government dissolved SARS and formed a new unit, SWAT. Across the country, there has been civil unrest. Thugs sent to disrupt protests, prisoners released from prison in some states and police shooting innocent civilians.  

On the 20th October at 12 pm, the Lagos state government imposed a 24-hour curfew, starting at 4 pm. This same evening, the Nigerian army opened fire on innocent protesters, the Lekki toll gate massacre has come to the attention of the international community. Whilst protestors believed the military conduct, that citizens cannot be shot whilst holding the Nigerian flag – the Nigerian flag has now become a symbol of sorrow. With news outlets censored, videos and news circulating on social media networks have shown the world the atrocities committed by the Nigerian Government on her citizens. On the 20th October 2020, the Nigerian Government murdered her citizens.

Sarah Adama - Poilitician