The last few weeks constitute one of the most delicate moments in Nigerian history. Protests championed by youths against police brutality in general and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a recently disbanded special unit of the Nigeria Police Force, jolted the nation into a moment of reckoning. In the course of the protests, many Nigerians who are either victims or relatives of victims of police brutality suffused the public space with sad, harrowing tales of inhuman and illegal acts, including extrajudicial killings, by security officials.
The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD) in a statement by Tajudeen Alabede, National Coordinator and Dr. Abdul-Wasi B. Moshood, Director of Public Affairs commended the Federal Government for showing the will to disband SARS and for agreeing to the initial demands of the protesting youths. We equally commend the National Economic Council and State Governments for their positive responses. Special commendation should go to the State Governments that have gone a step further by setting up Judicial Panels of Inquiry to look into cases of police brutality in their respective States.
We are worried that the protests took a violent dimension in several States and Abuja in the last few days. There were reports of disruption of traffic, attacks on people and wanton destruction of property by some protesters as well as killing of some protesters by security officials. The worst situation was recorded in Edo State with the breaking of a correctional centre and burning of some police stations in Benin City which led to the declaration of a 24-hour curfew in the State.
It is sad that all these are taking place at a time when the nation is battling with several fundamental challenges. In the midst of multiple acts of insecurity and lawlessness – Boko Haram, banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery, cultism and ritualism – as well as ethnic, religious and political discord, violent protests would only worsen the state of insecurity and the nation’s fragility. The nation should not be set on fire as a result of anger against the system.
While it is true that Nigeria has had some cataclysmic experiences in the past – Civil War, June 12, etc – however, we are deeply concerned that the nation has never had to deal with many fundamental challenges at the same time as the situation is presently. Granted that we cannot lay all of the blame on the current administration, we, however, wish to remind the President that Providence has placed him in a vantage position to set things right and catalyse the process of rebuilding the nation. The on-going protests are a good reminder of how deep the nation had sunk.
We wish to call the attention of the nation’s leadership to the fact that policing reform would not make much meaning without serious ethical reform. As long as the society does not get its values right, policing would not do the magic of setting things right. What lies at the heart of many of the nation’s challenges – insecurity, corruption, poor observance of human rights, etc – is impunity – the false belief that one can escape justice even when one violates the law and other people’s rights. There are too many compromises in the way the nation is run. Sadly, compromises have consequences. The President, therefore, needs to provide solid leadership in steering the nation on an acceptable moral path. Besides, the President needs to take a more critical look at his governing team as he surely needs more competent hands to handle many of the activities of his Government. This is Buhari Era; he cannot afford to fail.
While the Government has so far shown regard for the protesters and their demands, we are saddened by some acts by the protesters which may erode whatever public support that they had garnered. How can champions of the cause of good governance act in ungovernable manners? How can supporters of social justice deny justice and fairness to others? How can voices for rule of law show lack of respect for rules? How can campaigners for human rights disrespect the rights of other citizens?
We are not unaware of the fact that the protests bring together various shades of Nigerians – the good, the bad and the ugly. Nonetheless, we call on the patriotic elements among the protesters to create a publicly recognisable leadership structure and develop rules of engagement that would earn them the respect of other citizens. It is now time to separate those who are genuinely committed to building a better Nigeria from the criminal elements.
We also want to use this opportunity to appeal to those leaders who see nothing good in Nigeria unless things work in their favour. Their unceasing calls to hatred and division have played a significant role in leading the nation to the current state. While NDD recognises the myriad of inadequacies that plague the nation, we shall stand shoulder to shoulder with other optimistic and patriotic citizens who are determined to help rebuild the nation on a stronger foundation.
Lastly, we call on elder statesmen and women, religious leaders, traditional rulers, political leaders and other men and women of goodwill to wade in as impartial arbiters. What is at stake is the future of Nigeria. This is one of such moments when the interests of the nation should be held aloft far above any partisan and personal considerations. This is not a moment for passivity. Nigerians should rise to collectively work to rebuild the nation without any external interference or prodding.
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