Why the #EndSARS protest will continue

Hitherto, Nigerians history has been plagued with virtually one step at a time into an improvised lifestyle occasioned by bad and corrupt leaders.

Since the inception of her democracy in 1999, Nigeria has never experienced a protest that created a shock wave like that of the #EndSARS.

What started as a clamour for an end to police brutality and an overhaul of the entire policing system in Nigeria took an additional dimension.

Protesters added to their demands, an end to bad governance with the hashtag, #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria.

To give a background story, the protest is not just about the infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS). It’s the result of a year’s piled up anger over the dehumanising policies of government, maladministration, injustice,  police brutality, hunger etc. Other triggers include the lavish lifestyle of political leaders.

In early October, operatives of the SARS allegedly shot a young man at Wetland Hotel in Delta state, injuring him. This incident was filmed and went viral, sparking an outcry on Twitter against SARS using the hashtag #EndSARS.

A protester poses with a banner reading “End SARS” at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, Nigeria, on Oct. 18. Nelly Ating for Foreign Policy

However, by mid-October demonstrations associated with this hashtag had begun to increase in size and number throughout Nigeria.

On 20 October, Nigerian military forces allegedly fired live ammunition at #EndSARS demonstrators in Lagos who had sat down in the road to peacefully protesting against police brutality, reportedly killing at least 15.

READ ALSO: Who Ordered the #LekkiMassacre____ Five months after, Twitter ask

The whole world is still reeling from the shock and after-effects of the government’s heavy-handed response to its people.

Originally, SARS was established as a special police unit in 1992 to tackle increasing incidents of armed robberies and kidnappings for ransom by criminal elements operating across Nigeria (Vanguard, 23 December 2017)

However, what appeared a victory to few after the government truly ended the SARS operatives via several panel meetings, too many it’s a tiny part out  of the problems that befall Nigeria

Painfully, it turned out that Nigerians, especially the youths are still been subjected to a significant increase in the violent attack, insecurity and kidnapping from gunmen, Bokoharam and a new form of police brutality.

To be franked, the protest is not likely to end soonest, Nigerians will continue to use the hashtag to demand justice from all peril melted on them from this corrupt system of capitalism.

Nigeria is said to be the poverty capital of the world, taken it away from India; with over 7o% of the population being under 30 years of age and among the 21.7 million that are unemployed.

Nigerian youths, therefore are most affected by government policies that have led to a lack of jobs and meaningful sources for livelihood.  However, the government yearly, budgeted more money for the members of the National Assembly than for health and education.

The youths are waking to a new politically conscious society with a readiness to better the country they leave in. The readiness to challenge the status quo on any wrongdoings has been created after the EndSARS protest. What remains is the right ideology that will champion the course for a better Nigeria.