A Port Harcourt based man has written to Nigeria’s Vice-president, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, imploring him to intervene and save him and his brother from constant harassment from operatives of the Special Anti-robbery Squad, SARS.
The man simply identified as Nick Billion, used his twitter handle to register his grievances in the way through which personnel of the Special Anti-robbery Squad constantly harass him and his brother.
The Mechanical Engineering graduate of University of Portharcourt, wrote that after graduating and not finding any job, he floated his own business. He, however, said that SARS always harass him and his brother whenever they drive.
He said that his brother was arrested by SARS and they subsequently denied him access to his phone but he only got to discover his brother’s whereabouts through the tracker he installed on his brother’s car.
This is coming weeks after another resident claimed operatives of SARS arrested him and extorted the sum of 150,000 from him.
Although, there has been no official statement from the Rivers State Police Command concerning the issue, the recurring complaint of brutalities by residents against SARS has become regular.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has equally accused SARS of several impunity in the state, saying that the squad has become useful tools in the hands of opposition politicians.
“Hello @ProfOsinbajo! Is it a crime to do a legitimate business and be successful in Nigeria? Because SARS is holding my brother and his only crime is that he was driving a Toyota Camry 2009 which is owned by my mum.
” Guys please retweet till @ProfOsinbajo does something
” I was at SARS office in port harcourt till 12am and they refused to release my brother. They even harrassed me and called me a fraud star. Everybody knows what I do for a living… I am a website designer and an internet marketer. I sell my services and softwares online.
Hello @ProfOsinbajo is it a crime to do a legitimate business and be successful in Nigeria? Because SARS is holding my brother and his only crime is that he was driving a Toyota Camry 2009 which is owned by my mum.
Guys please retweet till @ProfOsinbajo does something
A thread
— Nick Antonio (@nickktony) May 13, 2018
“After graduating from UNIPORT as a mech engr and got no good job, I decided to start my business bur SARS always harrass I or my brother when we drive.
” Last sunday I spent 6hours at SARS office, my only crime was driving a good car.
“I was beaten and harassed by these SARS officials who later found me innocent and let me go.
” My brother is a Civil Engr and he does his business by also selling his services online. And why would they be treating us like fraudsters?
“Why is Nigeria trying to destroy legitimate people even when they try to break from suffering in the land with a legit business?
” @ProfOsinbajo I need your help. I need to know my crime. You have the power to weild, I need you to put justice forward for our sake.
Why does it hurt so much to be a Nigerian?
” And SARS denied my brother access to phone calls and the only way I found him using the car tracker installed on the car.
Becauee of regular harrassement from SARS, I always track the car of my brother if doesn’t pick his call for 1 hours.
” Is it a crime to be a little successful? @ProfOsinbajo why can’t SARS let the legitimate business men survive in peace?
@MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo now is the time to show justice… Please sir take action.
I will scream to the top of my voice.
I suffer for my money, I don’t deserve to be extorted
