image copyrightGetty ImagesThe anti-police
brutality protests in Nigeria created a powerful movement that
appeared to shake those in power, but after a turbulent fortnight,
BBC Hausa editor Aliyu Tanko considers where it goes from
here.
A potent mix of street protests and social media has given young
Nigerians a voice that has shattered the country’s culture of
deference.
As the #EndSARS hashtag went viral, so did a defiance of the
elite in Nigeria.
The trashing of the palace of the highly respected oba, or
traditional ruler, of Lagos was symbolic of this mood.
The youths dragged his throne around, looted his possessions and
swam in his pool.
captionTwo families whose lives have been forever changed by
police violence seek justice for their loved
ones.
What began as a protest against the hated police Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) has become a conduit for the youth to
vent their anger with the people who have been in charge of Nigeria
for decades, and demand change.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo warned in 2017 that “we are
all sitting on a keg of gunpowder” when it comes to the young.
His comments were about the continent in general but they apply
to Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with 200 million people,
more than 60% of whom are under the age of 24.
The majority of those of working age do not have formal
employment and there are few opportunities to get a good education.
Earlier this year, government statistics showed that 40% of
Nigerians lived in poverty.
‘Not usual
mischief-making’
But those currently in power at first misunderstood what was
going on this time, activist and writer Gimba Kakanda told the
BBC.
“The #EndSARS protests were initially perceived as another of
the youths’ episodic mischief-making that would fizzle out if left
unaddressed,” he said.
“This mind-set of the political class, almost overly
condescending, was the reason for its slow response to this
unprecedented movement and left them all on the edge.”
captionHow and why did Nigeria’s End Sars protests turn into
End Swat protests?
The question is where does that movement go now?
The success of the protest in forcing concessions from the
government – such as a promise to disband Sars, and wider police
reform – has given Nigerian youths confidence and they believe that
they can make a difference.
A few days into the protests, activists were able to establish a
helpline that could respond to emergencies. They also provided
legal services to those in need and even set up a radio
station.
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These were financed through crowdfunding and were cited as
examples of how Nigeria could be better if it were not for the
politicians who often seem more interested in what they can
personally gain, rather than how they can improve the country.
But there has also been an ugly side.
While those who backed and came out in support of the #EndSARS
movement were peaceful, another segment of the youth saw the
protests as an opportunity.
image copyrightGetty ImagescaptionLagos was hit by looting and vandalism on Wednesday
and Thursday
They vandalised shops, raided warehouses and targeted the
businesses of prominent politicians.
Although the approach of these two groups is different, they do
share one thing in common: a disdain for those in charge.
It is unlikely though that they can find common cause. Any move
in that direction may affect the spread of the movement across the
country because some will find it hard to sit at the same table as
people with “questionable character”.
‘Buhari missed the
point’
There is nevertheless an awareness on the part of the
authorities that poverty and hardship are national security
threats, activist Mr Kakanda said.
“The government has realised that it can no longer take such
outrage for granted as it has done before,” he added.
But it continued to make missteps in trying to quell the
mood.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s address to the nation on Thursday
evening “missed the point by a wide margin”, according to blogger
and columnist Japheth Omojuwa.
Mr Buhari called for an end to the protests and the beginning of
a dialogue, but “he will be remembered for threatening Nigerians
just because they asked their government to commit to justice”.
imagecopyrightReuters
captionThe protesters now need to monitor the progress in
reforming the police, analysts say
Nevertheless, Mr Omojuwa believes that the #EndSARS movement can
achieve something.
It should not focus on long-term ambitions of gaining political
power, he argues, but rather should make sure that the authorities
stick to their promise of reform and bringing errant policemen to
justice.
It is these small steps that may eventually bring wider
change.