SARS: Pastor Sam Weighs Into Clamour For Disbandment Of Controversial Unit Of Police

The Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi has described the #EndSARS campaign as a "courageous commitment to change" while also condemning the teargassing by police of protesters in some parts of Nigeria.

AllNews reports that Nigerian youths took to the streets in large numbers this week to protest against the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a controversial unit in the Nigeria Police Force.

#EndSARS has been the top hashtag worldwide in the last 24 hours, as protestors continue to demand SARS is disbanded.

After several allegations which include extortion and killings, many Nigerians are demanding a total ban of their operation, after previous efforts by the government to reform and reorganize the unit.

Nationwide protests across major cities in Nigeria were a culmination of weeks of anger and outcry online by the country's young people over claims of harassment and extortion by SARS.

Reacting to the growing campaign, the respected preacher took to his verified Twitter handle on Saturday.

"It is totally unacceptable for the police to fire teargas at young citizens attending non-violent #ENDSARS protests," Pastor Adeyemi said.

"We cannot sustain the idea that the voice of the African youth is not to be heard.

"To our young citizens, please continue to speak.

"Please speak as leaders, not as victims.

"Leaders respond, victims react. Press the point to negotiate for a win/win.

"The police/public officer is also sometimes a victim of a warped system.

"Change everything. #ENDSARS.

"We are not going to be leaders tomorrow, we are leaders already.

"Leaders lead with vision and broad perspective.

"#ENDSARS is a beachhead.

"The war is bigger.

"Have a clear picture of a developed Nigeria.

"Push for a change in values and in the power equation.

"I appeal to leaders in government and the police force, please listen and respond.

"#ENDSARSNOW as a courageous commitment to change.

"When people are not heard, they raise their voices.

"This is a generational opportunity to move 200m people, mostly youths, to achieve development.

"The mean age in Africa is 19.5 years, but the mean age of Presidents is 62 years (The Brookings Institution, Foresight Africa Report 2019).

"We need interpreters between the generations.

"The world has changed and political leaders need to know this and to lead with good advice.

"Building a developed economy is inevitable.

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"Let citizens prosper through land reforms, electoral reforms, change of constitution, devolution of power, world-class education, infrastructural development, access to capital, etc. #ENDSARS.

"Creating or providing these require courageous leadership.

Creating or providing these require courageous leadership. Let’s do it. God bless Nigeria. God bless Africa. #ENDSARS

— Sam Adeyemi (@sam_adeyemi) October 10, 2020

"Let’s do it. God bless Nigeria. God bless Africa. #ENDSARS."