#EndSARS

A lot of times when others complain about an issue, we tend not to take it serious until we encounter a similar experience.

As students living in Ifite, strolling in the evening was customary for most of us. 

So that evening, Maxwell and I strolled to TeezersX - a popular canteen in school. We didn’t want to eat, we just wanted to talk. So we just sat in front of the canteen discussing and exchanging ideas. Max, like myself was a business enthusiast - so the conversation flowed effortlessly.

We were deep in conversation when a green Sienna with tinted glasses pulled over. We watched the vehicle as we discussed. None of us had suspected who they were until the doors slide open.

It was obvious now! They had guns and dressed in mufti.

If not for the F-SARS prints on their guns, we would have mistaken them for armed robbers.

“Stand up! Don’t move!” One of them commanded. He was very quick to search us. Mehn! These people get Masters Degree for searching o. Damn! 

We just relaxed and complied. I was very tired to even panic. I knew I had not committed any offence. Max was not the kind to even bother much. So we played along.

“Two of you, who una be?” One of them asked.

“We are final year law students and I am the SUG Chief Judge of this school.” I said, smiling. I guess our composure baffled the officers. They knew we were “bad market” for them. So they tried another tactics.

“Where your ID card!” 

Hint: They are always looking for something to put on you! Say whatever you want, without your ID Card, you have not said anything; you are going with them to Awkuzu.

I gave them my ID Card and the officer who searched us looked through it and asked, “Wetin you dey judge sef?” I sensed their frustration and smiled. Their net had obviously not caught a prey that night.

So I went to their car to see their Oga.

…

Few months later, Nigerians are calling for the end of this unit of the Nigerian Police Force. The protests in major cities of Lagos, Benin, to mention but a few represents the opinions of the general masses and together we are saying NO TO POLICE BRUTALITY.

We might have been lucky and privileged tthat they left my friend and I without any harm done to us but a lot of my other country people out there are in danger of being harassed, assaulted and murdered like the numerous others who have fallen victim of these officers.

I join the protest to #EnsSARS!

Have you had an experience with SARS before? What was your experience like?