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Stopping The Terrorism Called "FSARS"

April 3, 2019

"I wonder why young men go out daily without the hope of coming back because FSARS may just be lurking around the corner.
While the need to fight against criminality is essential, the question is how many of criminals arrested by the Nigeria Police through FSARS are genuinely in jail"?



For any young Nigerian who is familiar with happenings in the country, it is not strange for you to see them run on mainroads, even be scared inside their own houses.
In Nigeria, anyone who has a car, doesn't go by a standard haircut of 'lowcut' , uses IPhone according to the Law of the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad has the potentiality of been a criminal. 
When popular music act Falz sang that everyone in Nigeria is seen as a criminal, it was obvious that he was relaying  the truth. 
Several months ago, the Federal government through the Nigerian Police had announced that a total reform of the Nigerian Police Anti-crime squad  has been done , many policies were introduced , I had literarily felt bad within myself. 
To say the truth, the FSARS  now kill those they are suppose to protect, in most cases, they now protect the criminals they are meant to arrest .
When you walk by a street, they would stop you, search your phone, you should not dare  have un-Nigerian names on your phone , else you risk your life. 
As an individual , I have seen cases where many young Nigerians complain bitterly of their ordeal in the hands of the agents of 'death'. 
Twitter was filled with rage  When Kolade Johnson was a victim of stray bullet and the Presidency has come out to say the Nigerian Police is working on  disciplining those who are guilty of the crime.
My fear is 'how long are we going to keep sympathizing with people over the loss of their loved  ones'? 
When are we going to really take a step against this menace. 
I do not want to imagine a case when Nigerians troop out to protest against the Federal Anti-Robbery squad before we act. 
There are million and one issues that need be addressed. 
How efficient is the training men of the FSARS go through before they are handed the gun? 
How well has reforms being carried out beyond social media press conferences?
Why do the men of the FSARS themselves look like criminals , you see  some of them ardent smokers, they dress like gangsters, one could say they  are killing those who may be competing with them in terms of rugged dressing. 
In every civilized country, Anti-robbery Squad consists of specially trained individuals who would be reorientiated about the ethics and ethos of the profession, those who will make other young Nigerians want to become Policemen.
This issue with the Nigerian Police is a general syndrome, you see people with pot-belly who cannot even handle a gun  wielding it but we remain giants of Africa.
I wonder why young men go  out  daily without the hope of coming back because FSARS may just be lurking around the corner.
While the need to fight against criminality is essential, the question is how many of criminals arrested by the Nigeria Police through FSARS  are genuinely in jail?

The allegations made by people has it that the men of the FSARS only burst places where perhaps they are not been settled well again,  such criminality for the brutal body meant to uphold the Law.

The Nigerian government should understand that it's primary duty is protection of lives and property,  if it cannot do that , then alot has been lost already.
Many bright Nigerians have been killed by stray  bullet or focused bullet, the truth remains that as  a country we must rise against impunity and call for reform of the Nigerian Policing system.

The Police reform bill must also be speedily passed, many Nigerians do not remember that the bill Is still yet  to be passed, the law used to run the Nigerian Police is Pre-colonial , we need a law that conforms  to modern-day reality. 

I condole with the family of the Slain  victims of this act. 
I also wish to state that if FSARS cannot be reformed, let it be scrapped, any unit that cannot protect Nigerians does not deserve to exist.
This Is genocide and must not be allowed to continue. 
Aroghalu Chidozie Law 
Writes From Abuja
[email protected]

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Police