* as group considers lawsuit over illegal arrests of software engineers
A group of professionals in the technology industry has launched #StopRobbingUs, a campaign to end illegal arrests of people working in the sector by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The group claimed it’s now a common practice for Nigerian policemen to stop young people with laptops in Lagos and unlawfully arrest, attack or, in extreme circumstances, kidnap them, forcing them to withdraw funds from their bank accounts in order to regain their freedom.
Working in collaboration with Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), a network of individuals and organisations that promote good governance and public accountability in Nigeria, the #StopRobbingUs movement is now considering a Class Action lawsuit on police brutality.
The group, led by ‘Bosun Tijani of CcHUB, Jason Njoku of IROKO, Iyin “E” Aboyeji of Future.Africa and Oluyomi Ojo of Printivo, amongst others, is calling on the federal government to intervene in the continued practice of illegally arresting and extorting young people in Nigeria who work in the technology sector.
It noted that a fundraising has been launched by Flutterwave, a fin-tech company, to raise money for a legal intervention and public awareness programme on the issue.
“The #StopRobbingUs campaign comes after Toni Astro, a Lagos-based software engineer, posted on Twitter a harrowing account of his encounter with Special Anti-Robbery Squad [SARS] officers in Ketu, Lagos.
“During his ordeal on Saturday 28th September, Astor was allegedly publicly intimidated, arrested, beaten and extorted, in order to secure his freedom.
“News of SARS officers (Nigeria Police and all tactical units) targeting software engineers are frequent occurrence in Lagos and this is the latest in a string of attacks,” the group said.
‘Bosun Tijani, CEO of CcHUB said, “Our ask is simple. Stop arresting our colleagues. This is an ongoing concern for Nigeria’s tech community.
“A talent problem already exists in our sector, yet police, particularly SARS’ harassment, accentuates the talent drain in our industry.
“This is the central issue for jobs and youth empowerment in Nigeria and the continued, illegal attacks on our country’s young people should be treated as a national emergency.
“Beyond its pro-innovation rhetoric, the Nigerian government continues to turn a blind eye to the robbery and psychological intimidation of young tech talent.
“We are social innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers and business leaders who work in Nigeria’s technology and innovation sector.
“Over the last few decades, we have collectively helped to build an innovative, highly respected tech industry that has elevated Nigeria on the global stage and demonstrated that young Nigerians can do great things.
“The bedrock of our industry is Nigeria’s young and ambitious technology talent. They drive our operations, build our products, serve our customers and solve difficult problems for society every day. Without this talent our industry would not exist.
“Nigeria’s tech community is mobilizing, and fast. Collectively, we have remained silent for too long. As of now, our voice will be deafening, and we plan to see the #StopRobbingUs campaign through to the very end.”
Also commenting, the CEO of Iroko, Jason Njoku, in a statement called for “a robust and concerted legal effort” to combat SARS’ indiscriminate attacks on Nigeria’s young technology workers.
“The tech community is now mobilizing to deliver this, working alongside key partners including EiE, Segun Awosanya (@Segalink), government bodies and the police.
“The fundraising effort backed by Flutterwave has already seen donations in excess of N11million ($30,000) in less than 24hours, with funds still flooding in.
“The company’s CEO, Olugbenga Agboola, has stated that the payments platform will “waive all charges on the payment link,” Njoku said.
According to startup genome report, Nigeria is Africa’s most valuable tech ecosystem, with 400-700 startups worth $2billion. Last year alone, the country attracted $306m in tech investment, a report by Partech also stated.
Leaders of the campaign include: Bosun Tijani, Jason Njoku, Oluyomi Ojo, Olumide “D.O” Olusanya, Adetunji Eleso, Odunayo Eweniyi, Adewale Yusuf, Tayo Oviosu, Jessica Hope, Chinedu Azodoh, Editi Effiong, Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Femi Longe, Idris Ayodeji Bello, and Jay Alabraba.
Others are: Kola Aina, Shola Akinlade, Gbenga Agboola, Mark Essien, Sim Shagaya, Aanu Adeoye, Tomiwa Aladekomo, Benjamin Dada, Shola Adekoya, Oo Nwoye, Prosper Otemuyiwa, Nelson Olaonipekun, Dele Bakare, Ngozi Dozie, and Chijioke Dozie.
See Toni Astro’s Tweet thread below:
So yeah ?, SARZ messed up my Saturday and I get to be locked up because I’m a software developer.
A thread.— Toni Astro (@toniastro_) September 28, 2019
