“Nothing strengthens authority as much as silence” – Leonardo da Vince. Early April 2017, under ruddy contemplation of societal breakdown; the first campaign sprouted. The vehemence slowly building like a sea storm, the awareness spreading like wild fire, from the over populated streets of twitter to the congested residential areas of average citizens. The clouds have begun to gather, those guilty of laundry have begun to gather their garments. Truth must be told “it is either you become the rain or leave the way “. while the clouds gathered and the sun began its journey away from the skies, a  lot of people failed to read the bold handwriting on the wall. The unpropitious deeds still found way and the citizens became victims at all levels. The severity of those meant to abide by the law progressed for a long time till the belt snapped and the wheels in the engine of the nation stopped. The clouds have gathered, the sky rumbles like a man with an upset stomach, the panic is demonstrable on all faces. While the clouds assembled and the sun began to move away, let me take you to – BEFORE THE THUNDER CLAP At first, in the early period of the year 1820, the Police Force of Nigeria was birthed. The police force of the then Lagos colony was established first in 1896 under the colonial masters of English dynasty. The aim of this early organization was simply to ensure internal safety in general, penitentiary, immigration and custom duties as well as the execution of military duties in and outside the country. The major population of this early Nigerian police housed a lot of British officers than indigenious Nigerians. This officers, more at the helm of policing affairs saw to it that British interests were propagated. The indigenous Nigerians that were part of the police at that time were fed with the orientation of securing and protecting the unpopular British government officials from the ever growing wrath of Africans and the quick sweeping gust of nationalism. A more original force was established in the year 1930 with a Nigerian at her helm. However, the sad orientation and trainings given to the police didn’t change that much to grasp the true fact that a police service’s primary duty is to secure the citizen instead of working as stooges to VIPs. This unfortunate turn, will continue later to haunt the Nigerian system constantly till; maybe when the whole structure is ripped apart and a much modern structure is devised. As time progressed and the new states were acquired, the population of the young nation bloomed and attention needed to be shifted to the people as security needs began to surmount. The Nigerian police became more distinct in local disputes, crime bursting and community service. The ever increasing needs triggered the creation of other varying units and departments to cater for other unique needs of the Nigerian people. This development brought to the light, new police units such as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), State Security Service (SSS), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the recently disbanded and controversial unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and of course, the newly established Special Weapons And Tactics unit (SWAT) amongst others. However, at an ugly dead-end, nearly all the various units of the police force have all failed to recognize their primary duties and the need to respect the average Nigerian citizen despite the motto of the force that says, “The police is your friend”. The initial orientation and the gross ignorance gorging up the system is leading to a decay in this security system that the citizens are not entailed to adequate security rights and if they must, they will be bound to pay for these services differently. This is the reason for the hike in police misconduct, bribery and corruption, favouritism and neglect amongst other evils in the force. This, at this moment brings us to another phase… THE THUNDER CLAP In the last few days of the epic year 2017, the Nigerian singer Runtown made the first EndSars hashtag on Twitter. This marked the beginning of the collective voicing as several victims of police brutality began to recount their shocking encounters with this ruthless and brutal unit of the Nigerian Police Force popularly called SARS. 7th October 2020 saw the first EndSars protest march become a reality from the online streets of Twitter to the overcrowded streets of Lagos. Collectively, hundreds of young Nigerians lifted up their hands in strong solidarity and protested against police excesses, brutality, extortion and murders which as claimed their brothers, fathers, sisters, friends and other loved ones. However, the short sighted leadership of the nation failed to see beyond the protest and address the rising issues immediately. The protests swept from Lagos to other states of the federation including Enugu, Rivers, Anambra, Edo and the FCT amongst other states. The wide international attention the campaign generated also proved the vehemence of the youths as mighty media houses like CNN, BBC, Al-Jezera and The Sun bore details of it. Great personalities in leadership, entertainment and sports all over the world aired their views in support of Nigerians as the protests progressed and turned more bloody.   AFTER THE THUNDER CLAP It is known that after the thunder claps, the winds that brings in the storm is expected. The aftermath of the EndSars protest across the nation is yet to wear off. There will be no mincing of words to say that this protest that gathered widespread attention was only targeted to end the controversial police unit. The 5 for 5 demands of the protesters exposes the fact the youths needed more than the disbandment of the unit. They wanted a total reform of the police, they wanted the government to respond intimately with them, they needed responsiveness and sadly, the present leadership of the nation has failed to see that or has chosen to turn a blind eye. Citizens all

  The humble beginning on Twitter  Three days after Nigeria clocked 60, I found myself sitting on a tattered mat at an unusual corner in the room. I had just finished the daily struggle, and as usual, my house was enveloped in darkness due to the epileptic power supply in the nation. To while away time before consuming two wraps of moimoi I bought, my eyes gazed randomly while surfing the internet. Strangely, the breeze of information seems different. Just after swimming out of an article by Omole Adegboyega on “the optimistic future of Nigeria,” my eyes landed on one of the trending news on Twitter. The hashtag #EndSARS caught my attention, and barely a few days later, what seems to be an online agitation against various horrendous actions of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) escalated to a nationwide protest. In the twinkling of an eye, crowds began to gather in major cities in Nigeria to demand complete abolition of the nefarious SARS who have been perpetrating the evil they were created to curtail.  SARS to SWAT: Nigerians refused to give in to disguise from the government  The decision of the Inspector General of Police to announce a mere re-naming of SARS to SWAT made Nigerians fume at the debasing style of governance by people in power. Do these people think that the shattered education sector will make us gullible entities? Definitely, No! In fact, the fight gradually slipped from just combating against SARS to objecting the maladministration of leaders, and progressively metamorphosed into a united call for a ‘new Nigeria’ which we all desire. With the economic condition of the assumed giant of Africa becoming unfavourable day-by-day, it was the best time for Nigerians to extend their grievances, and seek justice in the face of unfriendly high cost of living. The peaceful protest lingered for days and was sustained by the unique unification of determined citizens. Amazingly, disparities in tribes, religion, ethnicity, and all, were put aside to express our dissatisfaction with the unit exploiting and threatening lives of citizens they were created to protect. Interestingly, I was not left out in this call for justice as I excitingly joined the struggle with all enthusiasm and passion.  The gloomy Tuesday – the day a new colour was added to the Nigerian Flag  As the protest gained ground in major cities in Nigeria, certainly, “20th October, 2020,” will never be forgotten in the book of history. It was the day a new colour was added to our national flag – deep crimson red, by some soldiers under the order of forces beyond the control of Lagos State number one citizen. Not being intimidated by sporadic shootings, the peaceful protesters who assembled at Lekki tollgate vociferating against Police Brutality kept singing our national anthem. Even though the massacre punctuated a diplomatic protest that has lived for about two weeks, nevertheless, that day birthed a new revolution we have all been waiting for. Politicians started to nurse fear within their hearts not to take any wrong step in this season. Also, police officers and other security men halted the barbaric act of collecting illicit money from innocent citizens that are working tirelessly to survive. For the first time in my two decades treading roads in Nigeria, I did not see men in uniform collecting funds unlawfully. All thanks to this generation of youths that voiced out en masse at the atrocious deeds perpetrated by people vested with power.    Protest hijack – a political tool that has been exposed  Sadly, many people erroneously claimed that the peaceful protest was hijacked by some bad eggs widely referred to as hoodlums. However, truth be told, this is just a play of words to make Nigerians back out on an undiluted drive for a better nation via the instrumentality of protest. During elections, the politicians that call these set of people, hoodlums, label them as political thugs to achieve their politically–motivated goals, and afterwards, dump them on the street to till the ground and get beaten by suffering. Since the youth have started the engine for a revamp running of the democratic system in Nigeria, we are hopeful that sooner or later, the gap between the rich and poor will be shortened, and we will all look back to 20th October, 2020 – as a day that birthed an uneasy but crucial re-independence of Nigeria.  The waking up of politicians to be conscious of their role  Few days into the protest, there was already the awakening of recurrent negotiations to resolve a 7-month old industrial strike embarked by university lecturers. Why do our leaders need an external push to do the needful? Nigeria’s democratic system has sadly turned into a guaranteed avenue for people with debauched motives to make empty promises, and at the end of one or two tenures, run away with embezzled funds. No need to panic anymore, we have been delivered from that when Nigerians marched to the street to voice out against the atrocious SARS – which invariably led to the reformation of even the minds of politicians in power. Interestingly, the Oba of Lagos was also made to know that he is declining in his responsibility as the people of Lagos defiled the respect they have for him. He was made to pay for his failed leadership. The king and his cohorts will also turn a new leaf after the unforeseen transfer of aggression on his palace.  Reinforcing ‘leaders – populace’ relationship  Undoubtedly, Nigerians have communicated vehemently that the leaders they vote into power should not only get interested in their welfare during campaigns but across all the days of their stay in office. Leaders are meant to harken to the demands of the masses, and not just fuel family interest. Indisputably, the governor of Oyo State – Seyi Makinde, demonstrated what true leadership entails by nursing the interest of his people during the protest period. Periodically, he addressed citizens of Oyo state and took pro-active towards ensuring that their demands are met. Surely, our undiluted potent fusion of protest on social media and across the streets breathed confidence into Nigerians that their voice can contribute to the rebuilding of politicians’ mindset.   Conclusion – Light at the end of the tunnel  For several decades, Nigeria has been ruled by relatively aged ones. This has, however, added salt to the wound being sustained for several years. While the challenges facing our nation keep multiplying at the hands of these venerable leaders, corruption has also taken Nigeria into the mud. Youths who are tired of being maltreated, are ready to take the bull by the horns to ensure that the nation is no more mockingly addressed as ‘absurdity of abundance’ despite the profuse resources in the land. In all, the feat attained in approximately two weeks of protest which led to the disbandment of SARS, and to a visible extent, the reformation of the Nigerian police force has given us a vital assurance that we have the potential to push for positive change. Commendations should be showered on the youths for creating helplines that could respond to emergencies, provide legal services, and amazingly set up fundraising mediums, among many mind-blowing inventions within a short period. This is a clear indication that the problems of Nigeria