Young Nigerians have been protesting against the SARS/police brutality going on in its country.

SARS is a special Police unit, set up for anti-robbery interventions. It was set up to protect its citizens from the heinous acts of armed robbers. Over the time, the SARS unit turned into something incomprehensible and gradually became another menace to the society.

Protests have erupted and there is a certain and urgent need to curb the activities of the[b] SARS unit and also reform the Police in general.[/b]

Young people are being harassed for no just causes. They are being arrested over stereotypical assertions about looks. Majorly, but not limited to the use of expensive gadgets, driving of flashy cars, use of quality jewelries.

While we acknowledge that there are still some good eggs in the SARS unit , there are even greater bad eggs breaching the people’s trust in the Nigerian Police.

There is a pressing need to reform the police or completely overhaul the Tactical Unit.

What is[i] SARS[/i] ?

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a Nigerian Police Force unit under the Force, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police. SARS has come under recent controversy for being linked to acts of extortion, torture, framing and blackmail since 2012.

There has been national and international condemnation over the activities of the unit which has drawn a repulsive attention from all and sundry.

11 ways to avoid SARS/brutality in Nigeria

While we await a reform or a possible dissolution of this unit, here are 11 measures to implement so as to avoid falling victim to their inhumane acts.

1. Have a valid means of identification.
It is important that you carry a valid identification card with you wherever you go.

This gives an unrallied impression to these officers that the person they are talking to can be identified.

It is either they ask you to provide your ID card first or you let them know you want to provide it.

Be careful to inform them you want to bring out a valid means of identification so they won’t think you want to harm them.

2. Always make your location known.
In order to curb the excesses of some unscrupulous members of the police force, it is important you let your family or friends know where you are at all times.

For instance, if you are approaching a checkpoint and you’re with a friend and you get in an argument with the police/SARS, tell your friends to alert your family via text or through calls.

If you don’t have a friend with you, alert passers-by, especially when things are seemingly getting violent between you and the officers.

3. Know your Rights, but avoid heated arguments.
It is imperative to state that as a citizen of Nigeria, there are fundamental rights endowed to you, always be conscious of this.

When you’re being accosted by police/SARS operatives, let them know you know your rights in a polite manner. Do not get into an argument with them as this might lead to more conflicts.

4. Avoid late nights.
Because of the state of security in the country, it is advisable to always avoid late nights. You might be mistaken for a criminal and indiscriminately shot by the authorities who are usually security conscious at times like this.

5. Stop when you are asked to stop.
You should know that law enforcers have the right to ask you to stop, so if you don’t have something to hide, stop when you’re being asked to stop at checkpoints. If you decide to run, you will be mistaken for a criminal and get yourself shot.

6. Be Polite.
Be polite to law enforcement agencies even if they try to escalate issues, still be polite. It is better than to eventually end up shot or killed wrongly by trigger happy officers.

7. Dress normal.
I know, this should not be there, but in our country, some of the police/SARS officials, view people that wear dreads and tattoos as criminals.

In order to avoid such harassment, it is better you dress in a decent way so you will not be profiled to the likings of a criminal

8. Move out of the way when you hear the police siren.
The Nigerian police use the siren to quickly get out of traffic on Nigerian roads or to make way for them when they are transporting money.

So when they are on their sirens and you don’t move out of the way, they automatically see you as a threat and shoot at your car or brutalize you

9. Don’t flaunt your riches.
You might agree with me, that some of these police officers do not want to see a young man who is well-to-do or who is richer than them in a way.

You might not even be necessarily rich, but because you appear rich, you’ll will be profiled to be harassed, brutalized and extorted.

Be modest on social media and real life, so as to avoid lurking eyes from either police/SARS or criminals.

10. Have a lawyer.
If you eventually get arrested, you might probably need a lawyer and a good one at that.

But if you can’t afford to hire a full-time lawyer, try to befriend one or reunite with your old school mate who is now a lawyer.

Save his contact on your phone as “My Lawyer” or “Barrister”.

If SARS operatives arrest you illegally and find out that you have a lawyer’s contact, they’ll think twice before brutalizing you.

When the arrest is illegal, note that every other thing that follows will equally be illegal.

Expect them to seize your phone and look through it to find something to incriminate you.

They have no rights to search your phones but if you drag this with them when there is no backup, you’re endangering your life.

Be calm and find a means to get out first and get back to them in full force.

11. Enlist into the armed forces or become influential in the society.
Might seem controversial, but this is another solid way to avoid police brutality in Nigeria,

The Police/SARS have respect for the armed forces and accords them respect.

Same goes for influential people, they’re well known and are hardly ever harassed.

After following these steps, it is important to know that you might probably still be harassed or brutalized, it is very unfortunate but it can happen. Until they reform the Police can things start to get better?

Other steps include:
Read More here: https://telenaija.com.ng/articles/11-ways-to-avoid-sars-police-brutality-in-nigeria/

all these are trash. wen dey smoke and high, no one is free.
unless you locked yourself inside underground house.

Nah eh! No qualms
This is so unsophisticated

In as much as some of your point are
Making sense
Buh I don't see
Y the should unleash there rubbish yeye default
Brutality on civilian

.

Nonsense post as usual!

The only way to avoid SARS is to join the protest so we can end them completely.

Avoid ring road Benin City this night

The protest has now turned to a cut war after some boys armed with guns shot a man today

Davash222:
Nonsense post as usual!

The only way to avoid SARS is to join the protest so we can end them completely.

Didn't you see that he included the police? It's not just about SARS but the military and para-milatary units in Nigeria.

A taste of power and they become drunken, lawless and reckless.

As an Ex-commando, and an influential member of Command Old students association in my state and with ties to military officers who were former teachers, classmates, schoolmates and friends, SARS has never ever fucckked with me.

My I.D card dey cure their madness with lightning speed and alacrity. Thunder fire dem there!

In saner climes, police officers don't go about harassing citizens or seizing phones and abducting people illegally.

Do you know that bail is free and you should not be detained beyond 24 hours without trial? We blacks are fond of bastardizing things especially when given power.

The injustice has to stop. The same right a policeman has is the same right the regular man on the street has, just that the former has some extra privileges.

No to police brutality!