That the EndSARS protests has galvanized Nigerian youths in a way nothing has been able to do in many years is stating the obvious. This protests has undoubtedly proven to be more dynamic and pertinent than any protests ever organized by any group or labour union in Nigeria.
Peaceful protests are desirable ways of calling the attention of the authorities when things are going the wrong direction. As a matter of fact, such protests are civilized ways that citizens can get their voices across to the government.
The EndSARS protests was ignited as a result of the uncivilized and brutal activities by the operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad which was created in 1992 to combat armed robbery and other dangerous crimes. This special police unit eventually metamohorsed into a controversial outfit that was widely linked to extrajudicial killings, extortions, torture, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and other heinous crimes.
The widespread EndSARS protests in Nigeria and other parts of the world are largely successful as the notorious police unit was disbanded on 11 October 2020 by the Inspector General of Police, M. A Adamu. However, the announcement by Adamu of the formation of a new unit to be known as the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) as a replacement for SARS is ill timed.
The focus of this write – up is to briefly draw attention to the new twist that is gradually being introduced to the EndSARS protests. As Nigerian youths continue on the streets demanding for the total overhaul of the police, they should be mindful that most of what they are asking for would need time to be put in place by the authorities. They can always return to the streets if it turns out that the government has not taken concrete steps to address their grievances.
On the other hand, if they continue to remain on the streets, miscreants, criminals and enemies of Nigeria could hijack the protests and channel it towards achieving their destructive objectives. This is already happening now!
Protesting youths should be mindful of the several subversive elements in the country that would do everything possible to harness the unprecedented momentum gathered by these protests towards the annihilation of Nigeria. That should never be allowed to happen, because if it does, we would all pay dearly for it.
