Nigerian women stand up to police brutality
October 22
As the protests continue, it is not only males who are being impacted by the inhumane treatment from the SARS police unit. 28-year-old Nigerian Correspondent, Olurunnisola Abe highlights the women who have been directly affected and some of those who continue to stand against police brutality.
International Day of the Girl Child which was observed earlier this month may not have been marked with the usual fanfare, seminars, and other programmes, however, it was one of the days that would never be forgotten in the history of Nigeria.
On Sunday, October 11, Nigerian youths were on the streets clamouring for the end of a unit of the police force called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, popularly known as SARS.
The theme of this year’s celebration “My voice, our equal future,” was vividly demonstrated as both young and elderly women were at the forefront of peaceful protests asserting their powers as change-makers.
SARS has been accused of oppressing Nigerian youths, many of whom they profile by their looks, expensive phones, cars among many other irrelevant things.
Not even women are spared as harrowing stories of how they sexually abuse them are shared on social media platforms.
On Thursday, September 10, a young lady called Ifeoma Abugu was arrested by SARS in place of her fiancé in one of the eastern parts of Nigeria.
While she was in detention, it was alleged that she was tortured and raped which led to her death. Sadly, the truth about her death hasn’t been ascertained and neither has justice been served.
On Thursday, May 28, 2020, a 17-year-old secondary school student Tina Ezekwe stood by a bus stop in Lagos State, Nigeria, when a drunken trigger happy police shot at the young girl.
Many weeks after the Lagos State Government said it had identified the killer cop, nothing further has been heard about the situation.
Ifeoma and Tina’s cases are just two out of the hundreds of cases of police brutality in Nigeria.
It is also not the first time that members of the public have demanded justice for the killing of innocent victims by the Nigerian police.
The straw that, however, broke the camel’s back was a video of a young man being shot by a member of SARS on Saturday October 3, 2020 and his car allegedly being taken away.
The video caused an uproar on social media with the #ENDSARS hashtag and this later led to nationwide protests which started on Thursday, October 8, 2020.
This protest has seen Nigerian women show courage, tenacity, determination, and support for others in the face of police brutality.
Despite the challenges they face, especially as the government seemed to be intentionally ignoring the requests of citizens, it has not stopped these women from showing up every day.
With these women at the forefront of national affairs, there is no doubt that young girls in Nigeria have great role models to look up to.
A few of them are:
Aisha Yesufu
A Nigerian socio-political activist who is always calling out the government on their excesses, the woman demonstrated bravery when she stood a distance away from other protesters with one hand raised in the air to demand change.
Despite being attacked with tear gas, bottles of water, and gunshots, she remained unmoved. For many Nigerians, she is a symbol of liberty.
Rinu Oduala
The young woman led some youths to the Lagos State House of Assembly and camped overnight for the State’s Inspector General of Police to address the protesters.
https://twitter.com/Ugonnaoraowoh/status/1314898197278593026
Feyikemi Abudu
She assisted with the mobilisation of ambulances while disbursing funds for medical bills. She also assisted with pushing for the release of protesters who were arrested.
Modupe Odele
A human rights attorney, she coordinated volunteer lawyers to work for the release of arrested protesters. She also provides legal assistance to people who were assaulted during the protest.
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Photo Credit for main photo: Pius Utomi Ekpei / AFP
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About me: I am passionate about calling for a better life for Nigerian women. My vision is to create media content that will inspire, educate and renew the minds of the people.
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