Nigeria & SARS: The Importance of Acknowledging Current Events

By Anosha Adil

Nigeria is currently the most populated country in Africa with 206 million individuals. This makes the humanitarian crisis even more alarming. Police brutality, despite not being a new issue, has caught the world’s attention in a startling way. Most Americans were made aware of the issue of police brutality through the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement. Nigeria has been backing its own global movement, #EndSARS, since 2017. SARS is an acronym for “Special Anti-Robbery Squad,” however they have been known to abuse their power and original purpose. Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights, has reported 82 cases of police brutality ranging from beatings and sexual assault to hangings, mock executions, and waterboarding.

The Nigerian government has sworn to change the situation, but its people are distrustful of this promise. Muhammadu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, pledged to reform the police and asked the citizens to be patient with law officials and the changes. Nigerian lawyer, Bulama Bukarti, protested the truth of these words claiming that the government has been making the same promise for four years, whilst refusing to make major change. The plan for reform is to disband SARS and relocate its officers. This is very unsatisfactory for the community, which has long since suffered casualties at the hands of these officers. Most call for the discharge and arrest of SARS’ corrupt members.

A major tragedy, known as the Lekki Massacre, caused international uproar in its aftermath on October 20, 2020. In the midst of a peaceful protest, streetlights blacked out and Nigerian security forces opened fire on protestors. 10 people died and hundreds were injured, two later died because of the extent of their injuries. Buhari cited criminals to blame for the “hijacking” of the “well-intended protest.” He didn’t address the Lekki Massacre, despite the UN secretary general’s public condemnation of the event.

At this point, you may be asking yourself: Why should I care? How does this relate to me? These are not questions to be ashamed of, because it is human nature to think of ourselves first. To sum up these questions with one clear answer would be simple: caring for others is the sunnah of the Prophet Muhamad ﷺ. This is more relevant if those suffering are Muslim. In this case, around half the population of Nigeria is part of the Muslim ummah. Not to say that we shouldn’t care if they weren’t, but during a time in which Muslims all around the world are being discriminated against, we should find solidarity with each other. Rasulullah (ﷺ) said, “The believers are like a building, they support and strengthen each other” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 481 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2585). We should do all we can to help our brothers and sisters.

So, what can you do to help? Consider donating to charities and contribute to protests against SARS. “Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). The Feminist Coalition is a collective formed in Nigeria to combat police brutality and has been a key player in fundraising demonstrations. They accept donations through bitcoin. Diasporans Against SARS is an organization formed by overseas Nigerians who fund such activists as anti-SARS protestors. They chronicle the use of their donations to ensure they are going to the right places. Finally, you should also consider donating to the Assata Collective. Their donations go to LGBTQ+ Nigerians, who are far more likely to be abused by SARS. The Assata Collective accepts PayPal and Cashapp and is very open about how your donation will be used without endangering its recipients. Wealth given to charity is never wasted.

If you are unable to help financially, there are two other easy ways to help out. (A.) Sign as many petitions as you can and spread the word on the issue. The more people that are informed, the more likely it is that justice will prevail. Knowledge is a powerful tool and instigator in change. (B.) Make dua! After you pray and seek repentance, keep the people of Nigeria in your duas. It is said that those who pray for others in private will receive an Angel who says, “Ameen and same to you.” It is an easy way to help them if you do not have access to other means of doing so. May Allah (SWT) reward those who help others and accept your efforts.

Dua for seeking protection against evil

أَعُوذُ بِكلِمَاتِ الله التّامّاتِ مِن شَرّ مَا خَلَقَ

A’uzu bikalimatillahit-tammaati min syarri ma kholak

I seek protection in the perfect words of Allah from every evil that has been created

(Sahih Muslim)

Sources

Paquette, Danielle. “Why Are People Talking about Nigeria and #EndSARS?” The Washington

Post, WP Company, 22 Oct. 2020, 15:19 EDT, www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/

endsars-nigeria-police-brutality-sars-lekki-protest/2020/10/22/27e31e0c-143d-11eb-a258

-614acf2b906d_story.html.

The Reporters of Amnesty International. “Killing of #EndSARS Protest by the Military Must Be

Investigated.” Amnesty International, Amnesty International, 21 Oct. 21AD, 18:21 UTC,

www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/killing-of-endsars-protesters-by-the-military-m

ust-be-investigated/.

Thorpe, JR. “3 Places To Donate To Help #EndSARS Protestors.” Bustle, Bustle, 22 Oct. 2020,

www.bustle.com/life/where-to-donate-end-sars-protesters.