The biggest conversation in Nigeria at the moment across all board is the #EndSARS protest. Over the last few days Nigerian youths have unanimously in one voice tendered one request to the government both on social media and on various streets across the nation and it is to end the arm of the police force called Special Anti-robbery Squad.
The one responsibility of this arm of the police force has to the nation is to deal with crimes associated with armed robberies, Kidnapping and other crimes related to firearms. Over the last decade and a half, this responsibility has changed and it has become a manhunt and harassment of Nigerian youths. This manhunt of theirs hasn’t refrained only to just the unknown as some of the average Nigerian celebrities have also been harassed, humiliated and oppressed by men of the F-SARS unit and some have lost their lives to their unfortunate attacks.
Today we will be lending our voice to the campaign by sharing with you guys some of your favourite celebrities who have been harassed or arrested by F-SARS operatives.
1. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
He is the king of Nigerian TV and also considered the Drip lord for male fashionistas in Nigeria but our favourite TV host has also had his fair share of experience with the special Anti-robbery squad. The TV star while lending his voice to the EndSARS campaign tweeted his experience with the men 15 years ago and said there is a scar that serves as a reminder from the encounter.
2. Ikechukwu
One of Nigeria’s greatest lyricist and actor Ikechukwu also had a horrible encounter with the squad. The rapper took to his Instagram page on Thursday, September 5, 2019, where he posted a video narrating his ordeal in the hands of the squad. He shared that the officials threatened to shoot him but asked him to withdraw the money in his account at an ATM point close by. He said the police officers also tried to rope him in on a burnt truck belonging to them. Ikechukwu said he could have been killed and nothing would have happened.
3. Tiamiyu Kazeem
The Nigerian police Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) ended the life of football star Tiyamu Kazeem ‘Kaka’, the assistant captain of Remo Stars Football Club (RSFC) Ogun state. The defender was said to be on his way to Sagamu with one of his teammates, Sanni Abubakar after their training in Abeokuta one Saturday afternoon when the incident occurred.
4. Swanky JKA
Living in Bondage star Swanky JKA while reacting to the EndSARS campaign has come out to share his unpleasant experience with the Anti-robbery squad. The actor in a series of tweets shared his experience and attached a video of the unfortunate incident on his page.
He wrote: “They took me into the bush from the highway. . People who we elected ought to push our safety in front and everything else behind! . Imagine being a parent and just being told that your only son was just shot by sars! . Naija let’s set our priorities right”
5. Do2dtun
Dotun Olakayode popularly known as Do2dtun is one Nigeria’s most influential On-air personality and entertainment expert. The OAP a few days ago shared his experience with the members of SARS. “SARS kuku catch me finally cos of my hair. My ID saved me. It was so funny. They were so convinced they’ve caught a yahoo boy. 6 fully armed men but one was aware. He said “Do2dtun abi” I replied “Yes”… he said “Dey go, I sabi you”…” breath in and out”.
We hope the Nigerian government, the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Senators and other celebrities yet to add their voices to these and decide to act and protect the lives of the Nigerian youths. The F-SARS operatives attacks and police brutality isn’t limited to just the average Nigerians nor the just the poor, the rot in the system has gone very deep and a holistic reform of the Nigerian police force is needed and the change needs to be now! #ENDSARS #EndPoliceBrutality.
Photo Credit: Getty
