Thread by @taiwoyedele

We have a problem but the call to #EndSARS is NOT the solution. Here is why.

SARS stands for Special Anti-Robbery Squard. It is a unit under the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) of the Nigeria Police.

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It was set up in response to the rising spate of crimes especially robbery and kidnapping so the intention was good and is still relevant today.

Unfortunately many innocent Nigerians have been victims of brutality, extortion and murder by some bad elements within SARS.

But is ending SARS the solution? I don't think so! The same way we wouldn't ask for an end to the Police or the Army just because some of their personnel behave badly.

1) if we #EndSARS, the bad eggs will remain within the Police, meaning they'll simply transfer what they do with SARS to the general police structure.

2) Robbers and kidnappers will have a field day and other violent crimes will increase.

The problem is systemic, it requires a reform of structure, approach, processes, controls and mindset. We should address the system that enables the perpetration of evil whether by #SARS or otherwise.

So let's demand for specific reforms with appropriate safeguards including:

1. SARS should focus on violent crimes only, their mandate should exclude cybercrime. Fighting internet fraud requires brain not gun.

2. Ban SARS officers from checking phones, laptops, or looks. It is not a crime to look good.

3. Mandatory use of bodycam by personnel of SARS.

4. The squad should only respond to distress calls. No daytime patrol, no roadblocks. Patrol at night to be limited only to hotspots.

5. Use intelligence to fight crime rather than physical force. This way we can even prevent many of the crimes from happening.

6  Review the KPIs set for the SARS personnel to ensure right behaviour and punishment for wrongdoing.

7. No use of firearms unless the lives of an officer is threatened. Use tasers for non life threatening situations.

8. Promote citizens engagement and collaboration. Create a platform for reporting by the public and act promptly on feedback.

9. Establish controls around arrest and detention generally e.g. approval by very senior officers, login into a central system and cameras in detention rooms for central monitoring.

10. Ensure a credible recruitment process, continuous training and better condition of service for the officers.

SARS personnel are not aliens, they come from among us. They are our brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, and parents. To a large extent they reflect who we are. Some Americans are racists so it reflects in their Police.

We should all examine ourselves & bring back our "humanity". Let's condemn any form of retaliatory attack on police officers, there are many good officers who put their lives on the line to protect us, and two wrongs don't make a right.

#ReformSARS #ReformNigeriaPolice

Is #EndSARS the solution?

Yes, if it's symbolic for a movement to end police brutality but literally it won't solve the problem. We need more than ending #SARS.

#ReformNigeriaPolice #EndPoliceBrutality