Today in my class, we made an attempt to diagnose the #EndSARS 'movement'. The objective was to engage the students in an informed conversation using the current issue as a peg.

We spent a better part of the lecture hours on situation analyses. Everybody was willing to talk.

The question was very simple - " Have you ever been a 'direct' victim of SARS or police molestation/brutality?"

Several hands raised. Unbelievable! So, we settled for three students that were selected through a random sampling technique. A lady and two guys.

Coincidentally, two of the subjects are children of police officers, while one a 'regular' citizen. Sigh! The revelations were damning, dehumanizing and worrisome.

The first male student, who claimed to be a regular 'customer' of Nigerian Police, narrated how he almost missed his examination owing to illegal Police raid on his way to school. He shared how road-side traders and street urchins connived with the Police to extort him. Interestingly, he further explained how his father, a Police officer, scolded him for not settling the Police officers that raided him before he was taken to the station. Eventually he was dragged to the ATM stand and forced to part with twenty thousand Naira only.

More disheartening and worrisome was the story of the lady whose father is also a Police officer. She was picked on her way from Church with the Bible and other religious props. She was taken to the same Police station where her father serves. According to her, immediately the father sighted her, he feigned reading newspaper. She was arrested with other guys and was asked to write a statement that she was caught having sex with one of the male victims. According to her, her father only managed to smirk behind the newspaper when she protested. There was a standing rule in their house: if you are arrested by police, do not call home. She was locked in the same cell with male criminals. When the trauma became unbearable, she resorted to self help till the DPO ordered her release and handed her a thousand naira as T-fare. All these happened in the presence of her biological father. Strange?

The third 'victim' didn't have a different story from the regular 'yahoo boy theory', framing and eventual extortion. With all his connection, he parted with N50,000 only.

The atmosphere of the class could better be imagined. My colleague that joined the session was full of anger. We collectively agreed that, the Police menace is a hydra-headed monster that must be uprooted. It is a societal virus with heavy connivance and presence amongst all of us. Nigeria needs more than a name change to reposition the Police.

The research is ongoing, but I can not but empathize with these students especially the lady amongst them. They have become victims of repressive governance, while the Police officers themselves are products of leadership misnormer. We are in deep trouble. We need sincere intervention. The security architecture of this country needs a total overhaul.

This reform must get to every touch point of the Police needs: public trust; entry requirements; training; wealfare; insurance; professional etiquette; Police Trust Fund; Human Right Commission; monitised posting; nepotism; favouritism; impunity, etc.

To this end, I RISE IN SUPPORT of #ReformPoliceNG movement.

At this critical moment of our lives, SILENCE IS NOT ONLY VIOLENCE , IT IS CRIMINAL.

Remember, you don't destroy public properties to prove a point. Make your points clear. Reinforce and repeat your stand with variety to achieve penetration. Make your voice heard.