Little is known of how the #EndSARS protests began, or maybe it’s all very blurry now because of what we have collectively encountered in October 2020. What many remember is, on October 7th or so, protests began and every Nigerian youth rose to the occasion of being a hero. But let’s take it to somewhere in the beginning. Before feet touched asphalt and protests swept through Nigeria; where Nigeria is Gotham and @Sars_Watch, the Bat Signal. SARS Watch, born On the 2nd of October 2020, was borne out of the need to warn Nigerians on Twitter of the whereabouts of SARS officials across Nigeria. Between then and now, the handle has amassed almost 50,000 followers. TechCity’s Benedict Okojie had a chat with the online Vigilante to know about its origin and what happens to the handle now that the protests are over and the government says SARS has been disbanded.
Can you tell us what SARS watch is all about and what the account represents?
Basically SARS Watch was created on October 2 to basically alert people on where SARS Operatives are currently operating and to create awareness so that people can avoid the area or be at alert if they’re going to pass that area. We all know what happens when people encounter SARS and I was trying to help people avoid that traumatic experience and probably even save lives.
Have you personally had an encounter with them (SARS) which made you open this account?
What even made me open this account wasn’t my experience with SARS but rather the constant fear of young people everytime they leave their house. The conscious effort not to carry iPhones or gadget, delete bank transactions. Hide away international numbers of friends or colleagues (because that triggers them) and even the consciousness of picking certain outfits. Like all of that is oppression and I hate it. I couldn’t bear to see us crumble and live in fear every damn day. Let’s also talk about the extortions, harassment, sexual harassment our women face on a daily, the unnecessary deaths. This is really what made me open the account not even a personal encounter. However I have experienced them along Ladylak, Bariga whilst entering an Uber. They just came out of nowhere brandishing their guns, calling me and a friend I was with the criminals they had been looking for.
It didn’t go beyond that though because I was very vocal and didn’t leave the car. I showed them our student ID and that was what ended the issue. It was very traumatizing seeing guns pointed at you.
My sincere apologies for that experience. Do you think there’s a reason for these violent and scary acts by these SARS officials ? Where do you think their problems stem from?
It’s multifaceted. Our mentality as Nigerians to oppress one another once we get into a position of power is major. This is the very backbone of the mentality of the entire police force, customs, NEPA Officials, immigration, NYSC officials, local government officials. Everyone in uniforms, everyone in a position of power in Nigeria thinks this way.
– The poor welfare scheme of the Nigerian police force. Have you seen how much they earn? 9000/month. There’s no way these people won’t feel intimidated when they see young people doing legit work and having cars, using good phones etc as their enemy. They talm’bout, “I’ve been working for 15 years, I never buy iPhone or car, you wey just finish school or neva finish school don dey use am”
– The high rate and popularity of cybercrime too. So word on the street is that “benefit boys” is actually a thing. Fraudsters in Nigeria had a MO during the lockdown. They’d scam their clients of their Covid 19 palliatives (benefits) hence the term benefit boys. So because the benefits are much because of multiple clients per Nigerian scammer. There seems to be an increase in yahoo boys cashing out and immediately after lockdown new cars, iPhones are all over southwest
I’ve had my share of SARS harassment and it is largely accepted that SARS do more harm than good, but the issue of cyber crime still stands. Is there a better tactic you think the government can deploy in place of the disbanded rogue unit ?
The problem starts from recruitment. These people are not educated to start with.
For me if they really want to start another tactical squad, they should employ graduates and train them properly. Assess their psychology too.Like, it’s a lot to be honest, but a starting point is definitely not employing illiterates and men with pot bellies. Also, community policing should be highly considered too; highly encouraged even.
So, other than alerting people on SARS officers locations, has SARS Watch been involved with the physical protests, and what other social accounts which have joined in the fight to #EndSARS do you endorse ?
Yes I was actively involved in the 3-day protest organized by @SavvyRinu and I’m also active in any other protest going on around the country. I also recruited other Sarswatch accounts for other states but to be honest, more and more accounts have sprung since my account became popular, so I can’t control any other accounts. These are the Accounts though; @SarsWatchIlorin, @SARSwatch_EDO, @SarsWatch_PH, @SarsWatch_Imo, @SarsWatch_Delta, @Sarswatch_ogun
Can I confirm that you’re based in Lagos?
Yes
So, what do you think your account has contributed and achieved towards #EndSARS ?
I think ultimately, what I’ve achieved by opening this account is the protests you’re seeing right now. My account created Awareness and people saw the need for a protests. That’s the ripple effect of me opening the account
Some people think the fight is over, since SARS have been disbanded according to the FG. Do you agree, and, should we win this fight against Police brutality, what will become of SARS Watch ?
The fight isn’t over, it’s gonna take a long time, hopefully not too long. I don’t know what the future holds honestly we’d have to keep our fingers crossed.
Before we let you go, tell us how everyone out there can help in this fight against police brutality.
Join the protests, lend your voice, donate if you can, spread the word.
Editor’s note: Earlier today, the handle tweeted an alleged sighting of the disbanded SARS in Bariga, where it began for the handler. This is not Deja vu but it feels very much like it.