Yesterday, I was harassed by 5 SARS officials

Yesterday morning, I was harassed by five SARS officials in Lagos. It was my first ever experience with "law enforcement" and it wasn't nice at all. Thankfully, it didn't end as tragically as some of the other stories I've heard.

Here's what had happened: I was running late to work so I decided to book a ride in order to avoid having to queue for minutes at the bus stop. This is a normal thing for me, by the way.

Normally, the cab-hailing app I use will describe the car and the driver once you are connected to a potential ride. In this case, I was informed that my cab is "a brown Camry with registration number *******"

 When the ride arrived and I came downstairs to meet it, I saw a nicer looking car, still a Camry, but blue instead of brown. The windows were even tinted. I'm talking about a really nice car. Yet, my mind ran towards #SuspicionAvenue; how come the car is different and nice? These cabs are not always this nice na.

Anyway, I boarded the ride because I was already late. I also didn't want to cancel and have to pay an extra charge for canceling. Moreover, the driver tried to explain to me that a mistake was made when he was being verified last month. How this could have happened and not been rectified is still a puzzle to me.

It was shortly after we embarked on the trip that we ran into this SARS people. The five of them just came out from nowhere, surrounding the car and asking the driver to "stop the car! Open all the windows!!!" Frankly, it was bizarre. I couldn't even believe it was happening. 

At this point, they could only see the driver because I was sitting at the back and the windows were tinted as I said. Interestingly, Mr driver was about to start arguing with them. I told him to stop. Stop the car as they've told you. Just do whatever they tell you to do so long as it's not crossing the boundary.

You see, if there is something I think we should always do when dealing with security officers during a heated situation, it is to remain calm. Do not start arguing with them even though you know they are wrong and they are frankly. Arguing will only annoy them and put you in harm's way. I mean, if they shoot you dead, the conversation will continue after you've been buried...

So, the driver parked and they started asking him why he wanted to run away. In fact, they told him to come down from the car. He should also "open all the windows." I assisted with that by opening my side of the window. That was when they saw me. And then they all came to me.

"Who are you?" two of them asked at the same time.

"Open your bag!" another one shouted.

I answered the first question and then showed them my ID card. I also opened my bag even though I knew they had no right searching it. I just wanted the situation to end so I can get away from there.

To cut the long story short, they let us go. There was no actual reason for stopping us. They didn't even ask the driver to show his documents as they normally do.

The driver had all his documents handy by the way, including the permit for his tinted windows. 

I didn't think much about what happened until this morning when I saw a police van somewhere close to my office. I became somehow angry. Why do some policemen harass innocent people and yet can't focus such energy towards fighting crime? What is the Nigeria Police Force really doing to curtail the activities of some of these bad officers that are constantly tainting the image of the NPF? Are the complaints not enough?

Please, let's help the situation. I know there is never a perfect system. But at least when a problem is identified, it is always important to work towards fighting it. I shouldn't have to feel worried when I see police officers. I should feel safe around them. That's one of my fundamental rights as a Nigerian citizen.