SARS Protests in Nigeria

The madness returns again. Police and Nigerians at war again, this is sadly not news in Nigeria. It is not a new story but a terrible reminder of the disregard the Nigerian police and government have for its people. This is not news in Nigeria as the police and army have time and time again brutalized the same people they told us they have sworn to protect. It is unknown to the avarage Nigerian what the police is supposed to do for them as they same who are to protect them are the same one extorting from them daily and now indiscriminately killing them. This time however, the people have had enough and the protests will continue.

I was in ABU over 20 years ago when police stormed the university campus and started shooting indiscriminately. I have never forgotten the images of all of us running away and seeing people just collapse and hit the ground after being shot, it is a very eerie feeling, it is not like the movies when there are all kinds of side effects when a person is shot. I remember (at the young age of 16) just noticing a few people collapse and fall and then you heard their cries, as I also ran, and as I stopped to help, the only confirmation that we were being shot at was the fizzing of bullets around us and of course the cries of those shot at. It is an extremely powerless feeling to know somebody was hurt but you had to keep running and also not even knowing if you were running from frying pan to fire. That day in ABU, I believe between 5 to 20 students were killed. The most egregious death was that of a female student who had been sick in her room and just opened the door of her room to see what the commotion was all about, as she stepped onto the balcony, she was shot, cold blooded murder.

This is over 20 years later, NOT ONE policeman faced charges for that murder. Keep in mind that was over 30 years ago, what that means is the officer who shot that poor girl, could very well be the inspector general of police today or some commanding officer within the force. Worse he could even be retired and will never face charges for his crimes. And now the County burns. And more barbaric acts are being committed by the authorities.