EndSars Experience: Police Brutality Lingers
By now the much needed change should have started. Visible evidence to correct the anomalies and abuse of power are still eluding. How much longer shall we wait? The entire country is in distress with the unethical behavior of men in uniform in discharging their duties.
It’s normal to learn from experience and make necessary corrections. But from the body language and actions of the Nigeria Police Force, they seem unrepentant.
20th of October, 2021 marked the one year anniversary of the endsars protest by the Nigerian youths. Expectations were high on the needed reforms to avert the reoccurrence of this dent in our memories and national life.But what we saw on the anniversary of the protest puts a big doubt as to whether anything has been learnt from this ugly experience. The Nigerian youths in collaboration with civil societies and activists in a peaceful manner wanted to remember their fallen colleagues during the protest in a very civil and peaceful manner.
The Nigeria police force prevented such and arrested those that went ahead to do the peaceful protest.
A total violation of their fundamental human rights. Not only preventing the organized peaceful protest but arresting, manhandling and locking up peaceful unarmed youths who were harmless is such a bizarre narrative. The experience of the popular and dynamic activist Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor, Founder of One Love Foundation who was speaking and protesting in favour of the Nigerian Police about improved welfare to curb their corrupt tendencies. Instead of receiving applaud from those whom he was protecting their interest, he was rather arrested, manhandled and taken to custody by the ignorant officers he was agitating for. Thanks to the quick response and show of solidarity by progressive elements in the society it could have been worse. Such a pathetic demonstration of ignorance and lack of progressive values is mind disturbing as to whether we will have or experience a change by the Nigerian police force. The beat goes on to the mad dance of total destruction.
By now the much needed change should have started. Visible evidence to correct the anomalies and abuse of power are still eluding. How much longer shall we wait? The entire country is in distress with the unethical behavior of men in uniform in discharging their duties. How come those officers are blinded of the truth and their conscience? Let the implementation of the much needed reforms start now. l commend the Edo State government for the good step they have taken to compensate victims of the endsars protest. It’s positive step even though much is still needed to be done. This show of leadership should spread across.We are waiting. One love!
Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor
Global President, One Love Foundation.
