Why Haven't Citizens and Journalists Started Arresting and Confronting Violent and Bad Government Figures, Including the Police, DSS, Judges and Military?

In the annals of human history, the most devastating conflicts and societal collapses have not stemmed from external threats but from unchecked abuses of power by those entrusted with governance and protection. In Nigeria, this tragic narrative unfolds with alarming intensity. The nation, rich in potential yet plagued by systemic corruption and violence, has endured relentless abuse, brutality, and even murder at the hands of its supposed protectors. The police, DSS, Judiciary and Judiciary—institutions meant to uphold justice and security—have instead become instruments of terror and trauma. This systemic failure reveals a dark reality where the very structures designed to enforce the law are weaponized against the people. The focus here is on the bad actors within these institutions, those who have betrayed their mandate and perpetuated a cycle of violence and oppression. It is these individuals, rather than the institutions as a whole, who are complicit in this egregious abuse of power and whose actions must be confronted and held to account.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the question remains: why haven’t citizens and journalists taken more direct action against corrupt government figures, including rogue police, DSS, Judicial and military officials? The pervasive culture of impunity, where these institutions protect their own misdeeds, has rendered traditional mechanisms of accountability ineffective. Institutions like the police, DSS, and military often protect each other's misdeeds due to an ingrained culture of mutual cover-ups and self-preservation, leading to a cycle where abuses go unchecked.

To combat this, citizens and journalists must actively document abuses, gather irrefutable evidence, and use legal avenues to challenge these officials. They should organize peaceful protests, leverage social media for exposure, and engage in legal advocacy to push for arrests and prosecutions. Additionally, sending names and images of implicated officials to international bodies and donors to Africa, particularly those involved in Nigeria, can amplify pressure and foster external support for accountability. Only through such comprehensive and proactive measures can they begin to dismantle the shield of corruption and ensure that human rights violators face justice.

The reality of state-sanctioned terror in Nigeria is deeply painful and infuriating. Citizens live in constant fear of those who should be their protectors. The presence of the police, DSS, and military evokes terror rather than safety, erasing the line between protector and predator. The psychological impact is profound, with fear pervading every aspect of life. Uniformed officers trigger visceral reactions of dread, and the sounds of gunfire from so-called operations send shockwaves through communities, leaving them paralyzed with fear. Homes are no longer sanctuaries but potential targets for armed forces under the guise of maintaining order. Businesses are coerced into compliance with arbitrary demands, and journalists face repression from a government that views truth as a threat.

This grim reality underscores the urgent need for citizens and journalists to step in where official mechanisms have failed. When state institutions and their officials protect each other’s malfeasance, it becomes imperative for the public to take action. Documenting abuses, exposing wrongdoing, and holding officials accountable through citizen-led interventions are crucial steps in confronting and combating this systemic corruption. In the face of such profound betrayal by institutions that should safeguard justice, the active involvement of the people and the press becomes a vital force in restoring accountability and integrity.

The recent #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria have plunged the nation into a crisis, exposing the harsh reality of state-sanctioned violence and entrenched corruption. In just two days, security forces, including the police and DSS, were reportedly involved in the deaths of around 40 civilians. This appalling violence has intensified public outrage and revealed a profound failure in justice and accountability mechanisms.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned these atrocities as a "massacre of citizens." NLC President Joe Ajaero’s call for action, backed by video evidence, highlights a painful truth: when justice systems fail, it falls on citizens and journalists to demand accountability.

The continued denial and deflection by state officials, exemplified by the brutal invasion of the NLC building, only deepen public despair, eroding trust in institutions meant to protect them.

This cycle of denial and cover-ups reveals a disturbing reality: the police, DSS, Judiciary and military—institutions that should embody justice and security—have become instruments of terror and oppression. The sight of uniformed officers now evokes visceral fear rather than relief, transforming homes into potential targets and businesses into battlegrounds. The media, too, is under siege, with truth being suppressed to maintain the status quo.

In this grim landscape, where the line between protector and predator has blurred, the urgency for a new era of accountability is undeniable. Relying on compromised institutions is no longer sufficient; citizens and journalists must step into the breach, documenting abuses, exposing the truth, and demanding justice. The survival of Nigeria’s democratic fabric hinges on this critical intervention, as the nation grapples with an unprecedented crisis of trust and governance.

Perhaps the most devastating aspect of this crisis is the role of the judiciary. In a just society, the courts serve as a sanctuary for the oppressed, a place where the powerless can seek redress against the powerful. But in Nigeria, the judiciary has been co-opted by the very forces it was meant to constrain. Corrupt judges, who are supposed to be the gatekeepers of justice, have instead become the enablers of oppression. They twist the law to protect the powerful, dismiss legitimate cases, and allow the guilty to walk free. This betrayal by the judiciary is not just an institutional failure; it is a deep moral wound that cuts to the heart of the Nigerian people’s trust in their government.

The implications of this judicial corruption are far-reaching. When the courts are no longer a place where justice can be found, the social contract between the state and its citizens is broken. The law, which should be the great equalizer, becomes a tool of oppression. In such a context, citizens are left with no recourse but to fend for themselves, a situation that inevitably leads to a breakdown of social order and the rise of vigilante justice.

The frustration that results from this systemic injustice is palpable. It is a frustration born of years, even decades, of witnessing the powerful evade accountability while the innocent suffer. The anger that simmers beneath the surface is not just directed at the individuals who commit these abuses but at the entire system that allows them to do so with impunity. This anger, if left unchecked, has the potential to erupt into widespread civil unrest, with devastating consequences for the nation as a whole.

The psychological toll of living under such a regime is both alarming and devastating. Citizens who have been brutalized by the police, DSS, or military often carry the scars of these encounters for life. The trauma they experience is not just physical but deeply psychological. The constant threat of violence creates a state of hyper-vigilance, where individuals are always on edge, always looking over their shoulders, and always expecting the worst. This chronic state of fear can lead to severe mental health issues, including anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The impact on communities is equally profound. In areas where violence is a daily occurrence, entire populations are traumatized. Children grow up in an environment of fear, their development stunted by the constant stress and anxiety that pervades their lives. Families are torn apart, not just by the physical violence but by the psychological damage it inflicts. The social fabric of these communities is unraveling, with trust in public institutions eroded to the point of nonexistence.

The erosion of trust in public institutions is particularly concerning. When citizens no longer believe that their government will protect them, they begin to lose faith in the concept of governance itself. This loss of faith can lead to apathy, cynicism, and ultimately, a breakdown in the social order. In such an environment, the rule of law becomes meaningless, and the potential for chaos and violence increases exponentially.

Adding insult to injury is the pervasive culture of deception and denial among the police, DSS, and military. Even when caught red-handed, these officials especially the police and DSS are quick to lie, deflect blame, and fabricate stories to cover their tracks. This brazen dishonesty is not merely a tactic but a deeply entrenched practice that enables them to act with impunity, knowing that their actions will be shielded by a system that prioritizes power over justice.

Given the frequent lies and cover-ups by police, DSS, and other security forces, it is essential for citizens to document these abuses through videos and audio recordings. This documentation is vital to revealing the truth and fostering a new era of accountability, where the people and the press stand as the true defenders of justice and human rights in Nigeria.

This culture of deception is deeply frustrating for citizens who seek accountability. When the truth is denied, it is not just an insult to the victims; it is an affront to the very concept of justice. The lies told by security forces are not just about avoiding blame; they are about perpetuating a system of oppression where the powerful can act without consequence.

One of the most disturbing aspects of this culture of deception is the way it is institutionalized. When reports of abuse surface, there is often an immediate and coordinated effort by the authorities to discredit the victims and suppress the truth. Officials will go to great lengths to fabricate evidence, manipulate witnesses, and intimidate those who dare to speak out. This is not just about protecting individual officers; it is about maintaining the illusion of a functional and just system, even as that system is rotting from within.

In response to this pervasive dishonesty, it has become increasingly clear that citizens must take matters into their own hands. This is why it is essential for citizens to document these abuses—through video, audio, and any other means available—so that the truth can be exposed to the world. The power of modern technology allows for real-time documentation of events, and these recordings can serve as undeniable evidence of the crimes committed by those in power. By exposing these abuses to the world, citizens can challenge the narrative of the state and demand accountability.

In light of the systemic failures of the judiciary and the culture of impunity among security forces, there is a growing argument for citizens and journalists to take direct action. The idea of citizens physically holding or even arresting bad officials is born out of sheer frustration and a deep-seated need for justice. While this idea may seem radical, it is important to recognize the desperation that drives it. When all lawful avenues for redress are closed, people will naturally seek other means to protect themselves and their communities.

This concept of citizen-led accountability is not without precedent. Throughout history, there have been moments when the people, driven to the brink by the abuses of their rulers, have taken matters into their own hands. In some cases, this has led to positive change, with corrupt regimes being overthrown and new, more just governments being established. In other cases, it has led to chaos and bloodshed, with the line between justice and vigilantism becoming dangerously blurred.

The idea of citizens and journalists arresting corrupt and violent officials is undoubtedly fraught with risks, including the potential for violence and the danger of actions spiraling into widespread civil unrest. In a society where the rule of law is already undermined, the legitimacy of such citizen-led actions becomes a significant concern. Without a functioning legal system, there is a real danger that efforts to hold officials accountable could devolve into mob justice, with innocent people being caught in the chaos.

However, the argument for citizen-led accountability cannot be dismissed outright, especially in a context where the state has abdicated its responsibility to protect its citizens. Citizens and journalists can play a critical role in exposing corrupt and violent officials with less risk by using technology to document abuses through video recordings, broadcasting names, and showing pictures of these individuals. This vivid evidence can be shared widely, making it difficult for the bad actors to hide from the law. By building a compelling body of evidence, these officials can be held accountable in the court of public opinion, and international bodies, especially donors to Nigeria, can apply pressure on the government to act. The goal is not to replace one form of lawlessness with another but to force the system to confront its failures, reflecting the deep frustration and anger that many Nigerians feel towards their government.

The situation in Nigeria has reached a critical juncture, where unchecked abuses of power by security forces and widespread corruption within the judiciary have created an unsustainable state of affairs. Without urgent and systemic reform, the nation risks descending into chaos. Independent oversight of security forces and judicial overhaul are essential to restore public trust and accountability. Protecting journalists and activists, empowering citizens to document and expose abuses, and applying international pressure are all crucial steps in combating corruption and human rights violations.

The abuses perpetrated by Nigeria’s security forces, and the complicity of the judiciary, have created a society teetering on the edge of despair. The psychological toll on citizens is immense, and the sense of frustration and helplessness is palpable. Yet, amid this darkness, there is a growing cry for justice—a cry that cannot be silenced by lies, bullets, or corrupt courts.

The time has come for citizens and journalists alike to demand systemic change. This demand must be loud, clear, and unwavering. While the path to justice may be fraught with danger, the alternative—continued silence and inaction—is far worse. The world must bear witness to the struggle for justice in Nigeria, and those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable, no matter how powerful they may be.

This is not just a call for change; it is a cry for survival. The survival of a nation’s soul depends on its ability to protect its most vulnerable, to uphold justice, and to ensure that no one, not even the most powerful, is above the law. The time for change is now. The time for justice is long overdue.