- Nigerian citizens rose against police brutality in #ENDSARS protest in October 2020
- 4 years after, nothing has changed as police continues to brutalize, extort and kill innocent citizens
- Amnesty International accuses Nigeria Police of impunity, names victims of brutality after #ENDSARS 2020
In October 2020, Nigerian youths in their tens of thousands took to the streets across the federation to protest the alleged police brutality in the country.
This popular protest which came to be known as #ENDSARS witnessed unprecedented daring of the security forces in the country who are said to have compromised in their job of security and resorted to massive extortion, brutality and outright killing of innocent Nigerians throughout the length and breadth of the country.
Widely written as #EndSARS, it was a decentralized social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria that mainly occurred in 2020.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the movement’s slogan called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police known for its long record of abuse against Nigerian citizens. This abuse cuts across all spectra of the society, and mostly on youths and the poor who have no political connection.
Findings by our reporter revealed that the protests originated from a Twitter campaign in 2017, using the hashtag #EndSARS to demand the unit’s disbandment by the Nigerian government.
The movement experienced a resurgence in October 2020 following further revelations of the unit’s abuses, leading to mass demonstrations across major cities in Nigeria, and widespread outrage on social media platforms.
The hashtag #EndSARS accumulated over 28 million tweets on Twitter alone. Solidarity protests and demonstrations by Nigerians in the diaspora and sympathizers occurred in many major cities around the world.
Notably, the movement was predominantly led by young Nigerians and expanded to include demands for good governance and accountability, amidst unprecedented hardship in the country.
Within a few days of protests, on 11 October 2020, the Nigerian Police Force announced the dissolution of the unit with immediate effect. The move was widely perceived as a triumph for the demonstrators. However, it was noted in many quarters that similar announcements had been made in recent years to placate the public without the unit actually being disbanded, and that the government had merely planned to reassign and review SARS officers to medical centres rather than disband the unit entirely.
Protests continued accordingly, and the Nigerian government maintained a pattern of violent repression, including the killing of demonstrators. International demonstrations in solidarity with those in the country occurred, and the movement also grew increasingly critical of Muhammadu Buhari’s government response to the protests.
SARS officers were alleged to profile young Nigerians, mostly males, based on fashion choices, tattoos and hairstyles. They were also known to set up illegal road blocks, conduct unwarranted checks and searches, make arrests and detain without warrant or trial, rape women, and extort young male Nigerians for driving exotic vehicles and using laptops and iPhones.
Nigerians shared stories and video evidence of how SARS officers engaged in kidnapping, murder, theft, rape, torture, unlawful arrests, humiliation, unlawful detention, extrajudicial killings and extortion of Nigerian citizens. A large number of the victims of the abuses of SARS were young male Nigerians.
The End SARS protest movement was ultimately suppressed by the Nigerian military, leading to the death of several harmless protesters at Lekki tollgate, Lagos.
How it all started
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was a unit of the Nigeria Police Force under the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID). It was founded in late 1992 as one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, which was established to detain, investigate, and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that the squad was created as a masked police unit to perform undercover operations against violent crimes like armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and the bearing and use of illegal firearms.
Accusations against the unit
SARS had been accused of several human rights violations, illegal “stop and searches”, illegal arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings, sexual harassment of women and brutalising of young male Nigerians. The human rights abuses were documented in trending videos on social media.
In 2017, Nigerian activists, youth and celebrities across the nation took to the streets in a peaceful protest to spread awareness of SARS brutality and extortions and to demand its disbanding. The protests also moved to social media using the hashtag #EndSARS.
A 2016 report by Amnesty International, indicted SARS maintaining that the squad was responsible for human rights abuses, cruelty, degrading treatment of Nigerians in their custody, and other widespread torture. Some of the human rights abuses by SARS include the shooting of their detainees in the leg, mock executions and threats of execution, hanging and physical assault. A 2020 publication by the organisation documented 82 cases of abuses and extra judicial killings by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020.
October 2020 video and ENDSARS protest
On Saturday 3 October 2020, a video showing a SARS police officer shooting a young Nigerian in front of Westown Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State trended on the Internet. It was alleged that the police officers took away the young man’s vehicle – a Lexus SUV. The trending video caused public outcry on social media, especially on Twitter, with the #ENDSARS hashtag trending.
Just as the ENDSARS began to trend on Twitter, on Monday 5 October 2020, another report surfaced of SARS officers killing a 20-year-old up-and-coming musician named Daniel Chibuike, popularly called ‘Sleek’ in his neighbourhood.
According to eyewitnesses, Sleek was sitting in front of a hotel with a friend when some SARS officers approached them, prompting them to flee. The officers chased after the pair, shouting “thief”, before shooting Sleek as they ran through a supermarket. His friend was then arrested.
On Thursday 8 October 2020, nationwide protests on ENDSARS started after weeks of outrage and anger with videos and pictures showing police brutality, harassment and extortion in Nigeria. The protests were led predominantly by young Nigerians in different cities alongside many activists and celebrities.
Nigeria Police Force disrupted the protests in some cities, throwing teargas, using water cannons and shooting at unarmed peaceful protesters as seen in Abuja and Osun. This led to the death of Jimoh Isiaq in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
By Wednesday, 14 October 2020, the End SARS protests were still on-going with young people in different parts of Nigeria intensifying their calls for reforms and accountability in police operations.
On October 20 the Nigerian Army murdered protesters at the Lekki tollgate. The government and army deny these allegations till date.
However, four years after the protest, nothing seemed to have changed, rather the situation has continued to deteriorate.
Killings, abuse and extortion by the Nigeria Police Force has continued to be on the increase with no sign of solution or sanction against the suspect except the usual detention, prosecution and subsequent release.
For instance, in April 2024 the Abia State Police Command apprehended an officer who allegedly killed an Abiriba-born business man, Emmanuel Michael Okocha, in Aba.
This comes on the heels of the recent outcry by the Abiriba community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State over the alleged killing of the businessman by an officer attached to the Rapid Response Unit of the Nigerian Police Force.
It was gathered that Okocha was allegedly shot dead along Aba-Owerri road in Aba for allegedly refusing to bribe some policemen despite having a complete vehicle license.
The Abia State Police Command while disclosing the arrest of the officer in a statement by its spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, revealed that necessary disciplinary measures have been initiated and the culprit will be made to face the full course of legal consequences.
The statement read: “The Abia State Police Command is aware of trending online news regarding the incident resulting in the death of Mr Emmanuel Okocha, shot by a police officer. The Command hereby issues the following statement for the purpose of informing the public.
“Preliminary Inquiries into the matter reveal that a Police Corporal Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division under Abia State Police Command, shot at Mr Emmanuel Okocha along Aba-Owerri Road.
“The officer has been apprehended, and necessary disciplinary procedures have been initiated. Appropriate disciplinary actions and sanctions will be effected soonest, and he will face the full course of appropriate administrative and legal consequences.
“In this regard, representatives of the bereaved family and stakeholders will be carried along as the proceedings progress.
“The Abia State Police Command states without prevarication that the incident is unfortunate, and regrettable.
“The Command uses this medium to publicly commiserate with the family, friends, and well-wishers of the deceased.
“The Abia State Police Command remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and the rule of law.
“We unequivocally condemn any act of misconduct, unprofessionalism and indiscipline among our officers.”
However, in Anambra state, in January 2021 former, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, set up a special investigation panel under the IGP Monitoring and Mentoring Unit to commence investigations into some weighty allegations of unprofessionalism, high-handedness, and extra-judicial killings leveled against its officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Command on social media platforms.
In light of the serious allegations leveled against the officers – CSP Patrick Agbazue, officer-in-charge of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Anambra State Command; SP Nwode Nkeiruka, the PPRO of the Zone 13 HQs, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and Inspector Harrison Akama attached to the RRS, they reported at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja today Friday 17th February, 2023, on the directives of the IGP for commencement of investigations to ascertain the veracity of the allegations for further necessary action, while the panel has been given a period of two weeks to come up with a report of investigations.
By and large, in 2023 , the Adamawa State Police Command arrested the cop, Sergeant Aliyu Yusuf, who killed an 80-year-old Maryam ‘Yerbure’ Abdullahi, according to reports.
The octogenarian was shot and killed at Doubeli, a surburb in Jimeta-Yola around 9:45pm on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
It was gathered that the policeman shot the woman while attempting to arrest a youth in the area.
Yusuf, who was on patrol alongside other policemen attached to the Doubelli police division, had accosted the young man believed to be related to the deceased at the entrance of their residence but was resisted by locals who demanded an explanation for his arrest.
During the ensuing argument, Sergeant Yusuf allegedly pulled the trigger to disperse the unruly crowds but instead gunned down the woman while another victim, identified as Arfad, sustained gunshot wounds to the chest.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola, who condoled with the deceased’s family on Friday, confirmed that the killer cop has been arrested.
A statement signed by the spokesperson of the command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the CP has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge CID to take over investigation. The statement
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola on behalf of Adamawa state police command, Condole with the family and relative of Lt Maryam Abdullahi over the sudden and unfortunate incident that claim her life,”
“The incident occurred in the late hours on Thursday 16th February, 2023, along Doubeli Culvert, Yola North local government area.
“The Commissioner of Police, acknowledges the command’s cordial working relationship with the good people of Adamawa state. He hereby condole with the immediate family, relatives and friends of the deceased and prays for the repose of her soul.”
“The CP directs Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge CID to take over investigation and ensure law take it course.”
One could say that the North Central zone had the full share of the ugly trend as in July 2024, a soldier reportedly shot and killed a civilian, Habibu Aminu, on Wednesday in Lere Village, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident to Channels Television in a telephone conversation.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, the situation escalated following an altercation between members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Lere Village and personnel of Operation Safe Haven stationed in Tafawa Balewa.
According to reports, some members of the PDP from Lere Village in Tafawa Balewa LGA were travelling in three Sharon vehicles for a campaign in Lere District ahead of the upcoming local government elections. While returning, they were stopped at a checkpoint by Operation Safe Haven personnel. They refused to stop and proceeded to Lere town.
The troops subsequently arrested one of the drivers at his home in Lere. This action incited further aggression from the group, leading them to return to the checkpoint to attempt to free the arrested driver. The troops then opened fire, resulting in the death of Habibu Aminu and injuries to several others.
Wakili explained that the police responded promptly upon receiving the information.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Muhammad, dispatched a unit of the Mobile Police Force to the area for reinforcement. Additionally, a team of seasoned detectives has been constituted to conduct a thorough, professional, and timely investigation to ensure that justice is served,” he said.
He stated that the officers involved in the incident would be identified and held accountable according to the law, assuring that the Commissioner of Police is committed to a meticulous investigation process using all necessary protocols, including technical and scientific tools, to ensure justice and resolution in this matter.
On May 30, a 40-year-old man, Benalayefa Asiayei, has been shot dead by a policeman along Azikoro Road in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
It was gathered that Asiayei was returning from work in his vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, around 8pm on Tuesday when he was shot by the policeman.
When contacted about the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the policeman responsible is attached to the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo.
The deceased, who was an electrician and hailed from the Bobougbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, was carrying a passenger in the front seat when the incident occurred.
An eyewitness said the Operation Doo Akpo patrol stopped him and demanded N200 as their usual collection package from motorists, which he said he did not have.
The eyewitness said Asiayei complained that he was carrying only one passenger when the policeman suddenly fired at him.
It was further gathered that it was at the scene of the shooting that the deceased’s in-law, simply identified as Zaiky, saw the car and corpse, raised the alarm and one of the policemen pointed at the officer who shot him.
The policeman allegedly escaped in the patrol van, but some eyewitnesses had already taken pictures of him.
The police took the corpse to Government House Hospital, Yenagoa and later to the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
Meanwhile, the family is seeking justice, urging Governor Douye Diri, the Inspector General of Police and the Ijaw Youth Council to take the necessary steps against police brutality in the state.
“We are calling on the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri and the Inspector General of Police in a matter of urgency, to bring to book, the policeman who shot Bena to death, face the law, and also calling on Ijaw Youth Council IYC Worldwide to take necessary action against police brutality in Bayelsa State,” the family said.
As the trend continues, on Saturday, October 25, 2024 A popular Nigerian musician, Okezie Mba, was shot dead by a police inspector in Enugu state.
Mr Mba, otherwise known as Igbo-Jah, is a popular Ogene musician whose popularity spreads across the zone and even beyond.
WITHIN NIGERIA source revealed that Mr Mba had attended an event at the anti-cult unit of the Enugu State Police Command when some police operatives began shooting indiscriminately.
“Igbo-Jah was then hit by a bullet. They tried rushing him to a nearby hospital, but he died on the way,” the source said.
Police confirms the incident
The police in Enugu State have confirmed the ugly development.
In a release on Saturday, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, said the operative has been arrested and detained for the murder of the musician.
Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, did not mention the name of the operative.
The spokesperson simply said the operative is a male inspector serving in the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the police in Enugu State.
How it all happened
“The musician was reportedly leaving the Squad’s headquarters after a friendly visit when, for reasons yet to be ascertained, the police officer fired his rifle, hitting the victim,” Mr Ndukwe said.
“He (Mba) was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His body has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
Mr Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the incident.
Mr Uzuegbu asked the deputy commissioner of police to also ensure “appropriate disciplinary actions” against the police inspector.
He commiserated with the family of the musician and described his death as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”
The police commissioner assured that the police inspector and anyone else found culpable would be sanctioned in line with the law to serve as a deterrent.
He urged family members and friends of the slain musician to remain calm and cooperate with the police to ensure that justice is served.
Protest rocks Enugu over the incident
Following the ugly incident, angry in the state capital took to the streets, protesting the murder of the musician.
However, the protesters blocked roads in some parts of the state capital including Onu Asata where they burnt tires and chanted angry songs.
According to the protesters, the killing of the musician was an indication of the resurrection of the police brutality in the state which can no longer be tolerated.
The protesters demanded the arrest, detention and prosecution of the suspect with a view to bringing justice to the incident.
Enugu government mourns the musician, pays visit to the family
The Enugu state government has paid a condolence visit to the family of the slain Ogene musician, Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah, at Ogui Nike Enugu, restating its determination to ensure that justice is served.
The government delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh, among other senior government officials, underscored the sanctity of human life in the state, saying it would not tolerate the killing of any Enugu citizen or resident.
The condolence visit followed the fatal shooting of the popular Ogene musician on his departure from the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad facility after what the police described as a friendly visit on Friday.
Governor Mbah on Saturday sympathised with Igbo-Jah’s family and fans on social media, noting that he had ordered full investigation into the untimely death of the artiste.
Addressing the elders of the family and the deceased’s young children, Prof. Onyia said: “We have come as a delegation from His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah to the family to extend our deep condolences on the passing and brutal killing of your son, your brother and our brother. The governor has directed us to come and share in your deep pain and to deliver his message that we are going to make sure that justice is done.
“The state government will work with this family every step of the way because enough is enough. Every single life in Enugu counts, and for us to wake up to such a sad news is something that we will never take lightly.
“We appreciate the emotions because we see what is going on outside, but we want to importantly commend the eldest in the family and the rest of the family for how they have received us well as a government delegation. You have also shown that maturity in working with us.
“To the children, His Excellency is saying take heart. We will ensure that justice is served. That is one thing we can assure the family; we cannot sit down and fold our hands and allow such an incident to go without consequence.
“We are really sorry about your loss, our loss. May God strengthen and bless this family as we go through these difficult times.”
Responding, the family representative and Igbo-Jah’s elder brother, Chief Joseph Mba, said that Governor Mbah’s dispositions since the unfortunate incident underscored the determination to ensure that justice is done.
“I want to appreciate our governor, Dr. Peter Mbah for the way he has responded to this incident and for his determination to ensure that justice prevails.
“We are also counting on government’s help towards the welfare and education of his children and family – two boys, one girl, and of course, his wife.
“But importantly, we want to thank the governor from the bottom of our hearts for the way he has shown human feeling and leadership on this matter. We have seen his determination to do things differently,” he said.
The Enugu Police on Saturday announced the arrest of the suspected killer cop, Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph and released his photographs, assuring that “he will be made to face the full weight of the law upon the conclusion of the investigation.”
Amnesty International releases report on extra-judicial killings in Nigeria
On October 20, 2024, the Amnesty International released a report, indicting Nigeria government on the increase in abuse by the Nigeria police, four years after the Endsars protest.
The report signed by Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria and
entitled, “Nigeria: Rampant police atrocities continue 4-years after #EndSARS protests” accused police of impunity
“The Nigerian authorities must address human rights violations by the police to effectively end years of atrocities that emboldened impunity and left many Nigerians vulnerable to the horrifying abuses that triggered the nationwide #EndSARS protests exactly four years ago.
“Amnesty International continues to receive – almost daily – reports of human rights violations by the police across Nigeria, including unlawful detention, extortion, torture, sexual violence and in some cases extrajudicial execution.
“The Nigerian authorities still have the opportunity to reform the police and make it an institution with zero tolerance for human rights violations. The opportunity must not be allowed to slip away by the failure to hold the police to account for human rights violations.
“Gradually, we are returning to the horrific pre-endSARS days when the police behave as if they have the carte blanche to violate human rights,” said Isa Sanusi Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Our investigation shows that four years after #EndSARS, only two states – Ekiti and Osun, and FCT-Abuja are publicly known to have paid full compensation to the survivors and relatives of the victims of police brutality. Lagos and Nasarawa are known to have made partial payments.
“Seven states—Bornu, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara—have yet to set up any form of judicial panel. Lagos is the only state to have made its #EndSARS judicial panel’s report available to the public.
“The failure of the #EndSARS investigative panels to deliver justice is unacceptable and reveals the authorities’ lack of commitment to ensure justice for victims of police brutality across Nigeria.”
Extrajudicial execution by the police has continued since the #EndSARS protests:
According to AI, “on 3 July 2021 during the Yoruba nation rally at Ojota, Lagos state Jumoke Oyeleke (25) met her untimely death. Jumoke is a salesgirl who was displaying her drinks before she was hit by a bullet shot by a police officer, Tajudeen Bakare. On 11 September 2021, Mosurat Ojuade, an 18-year-old fashion designer, was shot and killed by a police officer, Sgt. Samuel Phillips.
“On 22 January 2022, Paul Durowaiye was shot dead by a police officer over a fight for sachet water. It was said that Paul picked up a pure water belonging to the police officer and the fight erupted which later led to his demise. On 4 June 2022, one Oliver was shot dead along Jalingo-Zing Road by a police sergeant, Haruna Idi, over a minor argument. On December 7, 2022, Gafaru Buraimoh was shot and killed by Inspector Imeh Johnson in Ajah, Lagos State.
“On 25 December 2022, Bolanle Raheem, a female lawyer, was returning from church with her family when they encountered the police and she was shot at close range by a police officer, Drambi Vandi, in Lagos. On 15 February 2023, a soldier in mufti was stabbed to death by a police officer due to an altercation with some policemen at the Odogunyan axis of Ikorodu, Lagos state. On 5 April 2023, Onyeka Ibe was shot to death for refusing to pay a N100 bribe to police officers on stop-and-search duty.
“Since the leak of a government memo dated 19 July 2023, which was addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health indicating that the state government had approved more than N61 million Naira for the mass burial of 103 persons identified as victims of the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, the identities of the 103 victims are yet to be disclosed, while those suspected to be responsible for the killings are yet to be brought to justice in fair trials.
“The Nigerian authorities’ promises of addressing human rights violations by the police must be fulfilled to meet the country’s obligations under Nigerian and International law. All atrocities before and after #EndSARS protests must be investigated and suspected perpetrators brought to justice,” said Isa Sanusi
In any case, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has expressed concerned over the increasing cases of the police brutality and killings in the country.
Egbetokun in a recent workshop organized for the senior ranking police officers in Lagos warned members of the Force to desist from unprofessional conduct said that any officer found in such act will face disciplinary which also included dismissal.
IGP Egbetokun assured the public that the Force is doing everything possible to checkmate all the members with a view to preventing such incessant occurrence.