By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Afro beat singer, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has hit the street of Lagos with young Nigerians calling for the scrapping of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).
Along with another singer, Runtown, the protesters said they were not interested in the reform of SARS, but an outright ban of the outfit.
The latest #EndSARS agitation came to the fore following several reports that young Nigerians have been killed as a result of trying to avoid SARS arrest because they fear that they would be extorted.
ALSO READ: #EndSARs protest must hold – Falz, Runtown
On September 15, SARS caused the death of two young Nigerians following a car chase which led to their death in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The young men were trying to out speed the SARS pursuit but ran into a ditch.
The death of the young men resulted in spontaneous protest against the commando operation style of the unit. The Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, promised to intervene on the matter.
Less than a week after the Osun incident, on September 22, SARS caused the death of Chibuike Daniel Dominic, also known as Sleek, in Rivers State. It was said that the operatives chased him on foot. While he was trying to get away, he got shot by another policeman.
The other several unreported brutality of SARS operatives spur Nigerians to anger. Convener of the #Revolution Now, Omoyele Sowore, said he was going to lead a protest on October 1 against SARS. He later invited prolific singer, Burna Boy, to show that he meant the anti government lyrics of his songs by joining the protest. Burna Boy refused, saying he had no trust for politicians, including Sowore, who contested for the presidency in 2019.
Then came Naira Marley who initially agreed to lead a protest on October 6 against SARS, but canceled it for an Instagram chat with the police spokesman, Frank Mba.
But when Falz and Runtown hit the street against the #EndSARS protest, they got hailed by Nigerians.
@Excumincato said: “Falz doesn’t claim to be Fela like Burna boy does but fight the system better than Burna boy even with his Music.”
@scaller101 said: “God bless Falz and Runtown, talk and do people, unlike our president (referring to Naira Marley, who is the self appointed president of the Marlians) wey fall our hand the other day.”
@Dr_Clandestine said: “Runtown and Falz showing cowards like Burna and Naira Marley what ‘street credibility’ means beyond shouting it in the studio & #EndSarsNow on Twitter.”
