Nigerian Musicians Speak Out Against Police Brutality, Rape
2 June 2020
By Cheloti Joshua
For a few days now, a hashtag #WeAreTired has been trending on Twitter in Nigeria.
The hashtag was started by Nigerian artist Tiwa Savage to speak out against what she termed persistent police brutality and increased rape incidences and violence against women among other things.
It followed the brutal murder of two women, Tina na Uwa and within a few hours, many Twitter users had picked up the hashtag.
Tina Ezekwe was killed by bullet last week when a police officer who was allegedly drunk shot to disperse a crowd while Uwa, a 22-year-old University of Benin student was allededly raped and killed inside a church in Benin.
#WeAreTired of saying the same thing our parents, grand parents, great grand parents have been saying about Nigeria,” read of Tiwa Savage tweets.
“#WeAreTired of senseless killings, lorries falling on road and killing passengers, ACs catching fire and burning houses, young girls getting raped, young boys killed by SARZ, no jobs for graduates, please add your own frustration because my list is long,” she said in another tweet that went viral.
Many artists joined the call for justice for all those that have been victims of police brutality and gender based violence.
In a tweet, Wizkid said; “Police dey kill black Americans and Naija police dey kill Nigerians. No man fit sort this matter. God save us.”
“#SayNoToRape,” he added in another tweet.
Renowned Nigerian Gospel singer Sincah also joined the conversation and encouraged Nigerians to always speak peace, love, comfort and faith over fear and anger.
“So sad to wake up and see what is happening in my country and around the world. This season is the time for all to unite our voices more in prayers !!," read part of Sinach’s tweet.
Other musicians who commended about the issue include Reekado Banks who noted that the deaths of the two women were tied to the inhumanity of man.
He also pointed out that he would not wish to bring up his daughters into such a world full of rape and other gender-related violence.
“Sickening how every other year, we find ourselves speaking up against the same things; police brutality & violence against women. The deaths of Jennifer and Tina are tied to the inhumanity of man. This is not the type of world I hope to some day bring my daughters into,” Reekado Banks tweeted.
“We need justice in the world, home and abroad. Rapists, murderers, evil policemen all deserve capital punishment,” noted Dremo also in a tweet.
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