Nightlifeng Editorial: How SARS hampers the Development of The Nightlife Industry In Nigeria

Today we support thousands of young and determined Nigerians who have come out to protest police brutality and high handedness.  Over the years, night life activities have  constantly being constrained by the activities of the popular Special Anti-Robbery Squad popularly known as SARS.

Nightlife activities flourish in an environment of safety.

Safety as a factor in the development of the nightlife industry is suppose to be enabled by the police authorities.

This has been the opposite because the authorities empowered by the government to protect the people have become agents of terror themselves as they have repaid the trust by acts of rape, murder and other acts of brutality.

Nightlife activities will not be developed in an environment like that.

This means the Nightlife Industry suffers. Clubs and restaurants are not patronized and valuable employment opportunities are lost. This does not even include the loss of tax naira to the government.

A young person driving to the club or a restaurant is constantly asked to come down from his or her vehicle and strip searched. He’s privacy is further invaded when he is asked to open his phone. Next he or she is forced to open the bank apps and funds transferred to the SARS operative otherwise he or she is ruthless dealt with and sometimes killed.