The Metamorphosis of SARS into SWAT -By John Kokome

Nigerians woke up to the rising voices of youths across the country in unison clamouring for the total disbandment of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in a nationwide protest tagged #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality etc. This was a special unit created by the Nigerian Police to combat armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminal activities in the country. Unfortunately, this unit has become a thorn in the flesh of citizens it was created to protect.

The Unit has not only become a nightmare to Nigerian youths but a menace to society. Various nefarious activities has been traced to men in this unit across the country from extortion, to brutality, abuse of fundamental human rights, illegal stop and search operations and ultimately cutting short the lives of several presumed innocent Nigerians in cold-blooded manner.

In an attempt to assuage the feelings of the protesters and meet their demands, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu hurriedly, disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) units across the country and immediately announced the formation of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to replace the disbanded unit.

This action of the IGP though appears to be the right move in the right direction, but creating a new team with semblance of the disbanded unit many have argued is a wrong timing, when the wounds inflicted on innocent Nigerians are yet to heal. It is obvious, there cannot be a vacuum in a sensitive unit such as SARS, but the Nigeria Police should be strategic in its approach of establishing a new unit.

However, I will suggest the federal government using the instrumentality of the Nigeria Police to activate a robust strategic communication plan, which should cover a specific period to regain the confidence and trust of the citizens. What we are currently experiencing is a total breakdown of trust and confidence in the Nigerian Police Force and to regain the peoples trust and redeem its image, this should be approached systematically.

If the authorities require assistance from communication experts, they should not hesitate to seek help from well tested and trusted Public Relations Consultants to help them design a well thought-out proactive communications plan to address this lingering crisis, which if not nipped in the bud is capable of escalating far and beyond the imagination of all.

Furthermore, government officials should refrain from issuing and making statements that can worsen the already tensed situation in the country. At this time, engaging the organizers of the protest in a no holds barred dialogue, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problem at hand is what should be done and not the issuing of unwarranted and provocative statements from government officials.

It is also important to note, that the Nigerian Police Force is a reflection of everything that is wrong with the Nigerian-State, reforming the Nigerian Police without reforming the country might be an effort in futility. Hence, the need to restructure the country now, for the good of all!

John Kokome

A Public Relations Professional & Public Affairs Analyst

Lagos State

kokomejohn@yahoo.com