By Many Nigerians on social media have insisted that the protest against police brutality and extortion would continue until the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), issues an executive order to dissolve the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
This is coming after the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday, announced the dissolution of the squad.
The dissolution came after days of protests across the nation against brutality and extortion of Nigerians by operatives of FSARS.
While announcing the dissolution of the anti-robbery squad, Adamu said, “The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force has been dissolved with immediate effect.”
He added that there would be an investigation into allegations “of crimes committed against citizens”, noting that “the culprits will be punished”.
Reacting to the dissolution, one of the organisers of the #EndSARS movement, Feminist Coalition, gave conditions for suspending the protests.
Among the conditions are issuing an executive order and release of all arrested protesters.
There are protests planned for the week across the country. They go on.
If they really ended SARS, they won’t attack peaceful protesters. #EndSARS https://t.co/zEsSO12PZo
— feministcoalition (@feminist_co) October 11, 2020
It said in a series of tweets, “Don’t stop protesting. We need the president to speak to his citizens.
“They want us to believe that the IG of Police disbanded SARS with just a statement on TV. Are we mugs? There are protests planned for the week across the country. They go on.
“If they really ended SARS, they won’t attack peaceful protesters.
“Where is our executive order? Where are you redeploying them to? What happens when we see them on the road again? This is not the time to slack. STAY LOUD! Release all arrested protesters.
“We want public hearings in all the states. Victims of police brutality should come forward.”
A few minutes after the IGP announced the dissolution, some Nigerians, however, took to the streets and social media to celebrate the success of protests.
In less than 30 minutes to the announcement, #CongratulationsNigeria became the second top trend in Nigeria on Twitter.
While some of the jubilant youths shared pictures of their celebration, others uploaded videos.
In one of the videos, a popular singer, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, was seen jubilating in London.
In the video, he was seen in a white jeep shouting, “We won”, “we won”, #EndSARS!”
“Now my people… you see what our voices did…this is the beginning of a new Nigeria! Nigerian youths!! Know your rights and fight for it! You deserve it. We all deserve it!!” he tweeted.
Also, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, who was part of the protesters who kept vigil at the Lagos State House of Assembly, tweeted, “Nigerian Youths!!!!!! We have a voice!!! This is the beginning of a New Nigeria!!!!! SARS has been dissolved!!!”
Another tweep, @KayOdeyinde, said, “Historic moment when SARS was disbanded. This victory is for every patriot who found their voice and elevated their patriotism to the country above political, ethnic, and primordial lines. WE WON #EndPoliceBrutality #EnsSARS.”
Meanwhile, some Nigerians also warned that the #EndSARS campaign should not stop.
Frank Edoho tweeted, “If the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria feels we are too small for him to address, then the IGP is too small for us to believe that SARS has been dissolved!
Until then, #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria #EndSarsNow.”
#ENDSARS
A celebrity, Jim Iyke, said, “Congratulations Nigerians, SARS has been dissolved, and I’m genuinely overwhelmed. But don’t be carried away. Let Buhari give an executive order. Let’s see the implementation of this dissolution. Rejoice, but don’t be distracted!”
“This is just the beginning, SARS has been dissolved, let Buhari announce it with his mouth too,” Abigail added.
