#EndSARS still Trending as Atiku, Dankwambo, Adekunle Gold, Simi lend their Voices

#EndSARS, a hashtag with which since Saturday morning Nigerians have been voicing injustice suffered at the hands of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has gone viral.

Atiku Abubakar, governor of Gombe state Hassan Ibrahim Dankwambo and celebrities like Adekunle Gold, Simi, Seyi Law and YCee habe contributed to the discussion.

Atiku, sharing three tweets on his Twitter, wrote:

The arbitrary harassment of young Nigerians by Police (who should be protecting them) has no place in a democratic society. The #EndSARS protest shows Nigerian youth are upset and the matter needs urgent attention.

Everyday, we encourage our young people to become entrepreneurs. Buying a laptop to earn a living shouldn’t attract harassment.

I commend our young people for protesting these injustices peacefully online, and encourage the IG of @PoliceNG to take these complaints seriously. I also urge the National Assembly to look into these complaints, and address the human rights issues. Reforms are urgently needed.

The arbitrary harassment of young Nigerians by Police (who should be protecting them) has no place in a democratic society.

The #EndSARS protest shows Nigerian youth are upset and the matter needs urgent attention.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) December 3, 2017

Everyday, we encourage our young people to become entrepreneurs. Buying a laptop to earn a living shouldn’t attract harassment.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) December 3, 2017

I commend our young people for protesting these injustices peacefully online, and encourage the IG of @PoliceNG to take these complaints seriously.

I also urge the National Assembly to look into these complaints, and address the human rights issues. Reforms are urgently needed.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) December 3, 2017

Dankwambo wrote:

I wholeheartedly support Nigerians in the call for #EndSARS.

Those charged with the protection of Nigerian lives and property have now become the danger to those they are supposed to protect.

However, I believe that we need more reforms in the Nigeria Police.

I wholeheartedly support Nigerians in the call for #EndSARS.

Those charged with the protection of Nigerian lives and property have now become the danger to those they are supposed to protect.

However, I believe that we need more reforms in the Nigeria Police.

— Governor Dankwambo (@HEDankwambo) December 3, 2017

The celebrities, on the other hand, shared their own experiences with SARS, Simi saying she had a gun pointed at her and her friends for laughing, and Seyi Law having his artisans arrested and SARS officers threatening to shoot at him.

Simi wrote:

People are not supposed to be afraid of the people that are supposed to be looking after us. A couple weeks ago, at almost midnight, my friends and I had a gun pointed at us for laughing. For laughing. #EndSARS #ActuallyTakeGunsAwayFromTriggerHappyPeopleWhoHideBehindTheUniform!

Their boss had to talk him down! Pointing a gun at 3 ladies because of your insecurities is incredibly frightening! Policemen need to be mentally evaluated and checked before being handed guns. And they need to be accountable!! Otherwise, they can get away with anything. #EndSARS

People are not supposed to be afraid of the people that are supposed to be looking after us. A couple weeks ago, at almost midnight, my friends and I had a gun pointed at us for laughing. For laughing. #EndSARS #ActuallyTakeGunsAwayFromTriggerHappyPeopleWhoHideBehindTheUniform!

— Simi (@SympLySimi) December 3, 2017

Their boss had to talk him down! Pointing a gun at 3 ladies because of your insecurities is incredibly frightening! Policemen need to be mentally evaluated and checked before being handed guns. And they need to be accountable!! Otherwise, they can get away with anything. #EndSARS

— Simi (@SympLySimi) December 3, 2017

Seyi Law wrote:

Somebody sent me DM to learn my voice to the SARS menace. #EndSARS now. Hmmmm. If only they knew I had my own story. My life is more endangered than yours with them. My story …….

A painter and an AC repairer had come to work in my house and I gave them money to go and buy materials. I waited and they weren’t showing any sign of coming so I called, only to be told they had been held by SARS. I took my car and went to the place. #ENDSARS

A painter and an AC repairer had come to work in my house and I gave them money to go and buy materials. I waited and they weren’t showing any sign of coming so I called, only to be told they had been held by SARS. I took my car and went to the place. #ENDSARS

I went back to the truck to speak with the arrested guys what their offence was and they said, they were on a bike and were stopped by SARS who told them they were riding pass a crime scene so they were suspects. Reallyyyy!!! #ENDSARS

Somebody sent me DM to learn my voice to the SARS menace. #EndSARS now. Hmmmm. If only they knew I had my own story. My life is more endangered than yours with them. My story …….

— SEYILAW:FAST&FUNNY (@seyilaw1) December 3, 2017

A painter and an AC repairer had come to work in my house and I gave them money to go and buy materials. I waited and they weren't showing any sign of coming so I called, only to be told they had been held by SARS. I took my car and went to the place. #ENDSARS

— SEYILAW:FAST&FUNNY (@seyilaw1) December 3, 2017

I got there. These guys have been stripped and their hands tied behind their back. I thought I was known and demanded to see the SUPERIOR OFFICER who was smoking IGBO and drinking with others. Only to be threatened to be shot if I don't move back. Yeepa. #EndSARS

— SEYILAW:FAST&FUNNY (@seyilaw1) December 3, 2017

I went back to the truck to speak with the arrested guys what their offence was and they said, they were on a bike and were stopped by SARS who told them they were riding pass a crime scene so they were suspects. Reallyyyy!!! #ENDSARS

— SEYILAW:FAST&FUNNY (@seyilaw1) December 3, 2017

See tweets from other celebrities and politicians:

I have been going through stories and experience of young Nigerians with the hashtag #EndSARS and I feel nothing but shock for these inhumane acts by those who should naturally be protecting citizens.

— Gbenga Daniel (@JustusOGD) December 3, 2017

I hope that a segment of all who are ENRAGED at the allegations of #SARS violence&harassment will SUSTAIN the advocacy UNTIL .@AsoRock takes #SwiftAction with .@PoliceNG ? It does take SUSTAINED ADVOCACY. You people MOVE ON TOO QUICKLY leaving MOST issues you RAGED on UNFINISHED.

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) December 3, 2017

I have experienced the brutality from some power drunk #SARS police officials as well. Hoping the govt can act swiftly on this one.

— AG (@adekunleGOLD) December 3, 2017

I have experienced the brutality from some power drunk #SARS police officials as well. Hoping the govt can act swiftly on this one.

— AG (@adekunleGOLD) December 3, 2017

I’ll never understand why a police officer will forcefully arrest you and take you to the nearest atm to withdraw your money for them. Robbery!

— AG (@adekunleGOLD) December 3, 2017

Not one person has come out to speak good of sars yet some people are talking about reform ??‍♂️ #EndSARS

— ZAHEER! (@iam_YCEE) December 3, 2017

Please how do we act on this #EndSARS issue cos twitter won’t be enough

— ZAHEER! (@iam_YCEE) December 3, 2017

What are you saying??? People are being beaten and killed and you’re saying dreams????!!!! #EndSARS then we’d face the remaining police force https://t.co/QV3jMBHpTl

— ZAHEER! (@iam_YCEE) December 3, 2017

Hopefully more traditional media will join the conversation that social media has started. Every medium is important if we must #EndSARS https://t.co/T8AybVm4C9

— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/iamTJAN/status/937284217834176512

The entire police force needs some serious revamp. SARS are particular notorious for brutal attacks on innocent youth. The police is not our friend #EndSARS

— #MoralInstruction (@falzthebahdguy) December 3, 2017

Basically, #SARS & most policemen instantly assume you are a fraudster if you re pushing a good car. The treatment is usually worse if you got all boys in the car & hell comes down if ya’all wearing blings or shades. #ENDSARS

— Top Boy (@DJSPINALL) December 3, 2017

Not only end SARS, end the Police & raise New ones with a higher level of education & IQ. The lack in that area is alarming #EndSARS

— Do2dtun Energy gAD (@iamDo2dtun) December 3, 2017

Just cos I haven't been a victim don't mean I'll act like it doesn't exist.I've seen videos of pple been molested.it's devastating.However I know we av to look beyond Twitter for appropriate solutions to #EndSARS but we can at least spark up a mind that will help..

— VJADAMS #Hafaa (@iamvjadams) December 3, 2017

#EndSARS I remember when SARS operatives forcefully took my friend and I to the station. They threatened to plant guns in the car and make sure we go to jail. I was shocked when the officer said it with confidence. Imagine how many people are in jail for crimes they never did?

— Jon Ogah (@Jonogah) December 3, 2017

Now u c dis SARS issue..they’ve harrassed me upto 7times..slept in the cell for 2days at PWD cos they said they are raiding..a week ago i got brutalized by police in surulere..itire division to b precise,wit injuries on my back..its sad when they say police is my friend #ENDSARS

— BASE ONE (@iambaseone) December 3, 2017

Meanwhile, Nigerians are still sharing their experiences and their frustrations with SARS:

The Uniport student who died last year at the Uniport school fees protest was killed by SARS. No one has talked about it. We fear SARS more than we fear Robbers. God help us all.#EndSARS

— IFEANYI THE GREAT |?? (@Eastcoastprince) December 3, 2017

Not Every Young Lad with A Laptop is a "Yahoo Boy"

Some of us are Graphic Designers.
Some of us are Programmers.
Some of us are Bloggers.
Some of us are Promoters.
Some of us are Freelancers.
Some of us are Students.
Some of us are Analysts. #EndSARS

— ᴄᴜʙᴇ ᴅᴇ ʀᴜʙɪᴋ™ (@Khaynet) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/Asiwaju_limited/status/937290347348185088

You need not have experienced the menace called SARS to call for #EndSARS , you have friends and relatives. Certainly not all your folks live inside Aso Rock. I don't support reforms here, it should be deleted, trash emptied too.

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) December 3, 2017

Sars stopped us on our way to ilorin. Pulled out my bras and pants and asked why I had g-string if I wasn't an ashewo. Hit my friend in the head 6 times with their guns. They took us to the ATM with my friend's bloody head to collect 40k and never returned our phones.#endsars

— Olájùmọ̀ké̩ (@OlaEloquence) December 3, 2017

This is a normal thing for SARS. Trigger happy animals. #EndSARS https://t.co/nfcKeIpIVw

— Osazee Iyamu (@IAmQuebex) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/Gozie_nwa53/status/937345824899690496

https://twitter.com/OsasCruz/status/937341264432959488

https://twitter.com/no_rookie/status/937378526071873536

Memories brought down the lane… 8 years ago, SARS invaded our student hostel (FineTouch OAU Ife) and arrested boys demanding bail of at least 50k/person.
SARS has been extorting and tormenting from way back… There is no better time than now to put a just end to it.#EndSARS

— Adelani Omotunde (@AdeMagnus) December 3, 2017

They are 7 and they wore there normal black round neckshirt with a Rough AK47 each, they jumped the fence to enter his house and they even killed 2 big dogs with a gun…….It happens on 12 November 2017 here in ilorin kwara state #EndSARS

— Steph (@iAm_Omoh) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/Teju_____/status/937329574073036801

My uncle got killed by SARS a couple of weeks back and my Grandma died as a result of the news and we still don't know his offence.#EndSARS

— Senator Fabian☂️ (@daddyawongirls) December 3, 2017

Avoid ikeja under bridge. They re operating there as we speak in a blue danfo. . #ENDSARS

— JUDE MmaCHUKWU SKONES™ (@perfectskones) December 3, 2017

On May 3rd 2016 SARS arrested my wife and I for having (Not drinking or drunk driving just carrying in the car ) locally distilled alcohol in the car.

They whooped me for asking what we did wrong and drove us round different watersides. Later took all the money we had. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/LKmJOsQePK

— Austine A Amani (@Amani_Art) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/Bhadoosky/status/937284827669200896

A video of SARS officials obtaining money from an innocent citizen in broad daylight just because they carry a gun ? #EndSARS #DaylightRobbery pic.twitter.com/UYnActkoDo

— Napoleon (@Olumba_) December 3, 2017

In Ring Road BENIN city that SARS will be loading bus to textile mill road, if you are foolish to not know that they are not normal transporters, you will enter bus, next thing you're in the station paying 30K as bail and they will have a crime for all you 10 passengers#EndSARS

— Charles Isidi (@i_am_pixelhub) December 3, 2017

Not one person has come forward to tweet about when SARS actually stopped a robbery. What's the point of having a special anti robbery squad? #EndSARS

— Deji (@xDeji) December 3, 2017

It’s been 2 years since SARS shot (twice in the Chest) n killed a good childhood friend and took away his corpse then later claimed not knowing anything about the incident. No justice, Not even a corpse to bury, his mom lost her sanity and hasn’t been the same since #ENDSARS pic.twitter.com/VDYW365wTL

— Terry (@Terrybrainz) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/937309567997874176

Meanwhile, the presidency is still yet to comment on the issue.