#EndSARS: Cry of justice for victims louder six years after

By Gabriel Ewepu As Nigerians commemorated the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests on Wednesday, October 20, civil society organisations (CSOs) and lawyers said the issues that triggered the protests remain unaddressed. They noted that while the core demands of the protesters remain largely unmet, commitments made by the government have also not been realised. There was a consensus that sacrifices made by those affected in various ways during the protests have not translated into improved policing in the country.

Sunday Vanguard recalls that the #EndSARS protests were a series of nationwide demonstrations that erupted in Nigeria in October 2020 against police brutality, extortion, torture, unlawful arrests and extrajudicial killings allegedly committed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police Force established to combat armed robbery and other violent crimes. SARS Although concerns about alleged SARS abuses had persisted for years, the protests gained momentum following the circulation of a video in early October 2020 showing a police officer allegedly shooting a young man in Ughelli, Delta State. Young Nigerians mobilised through social media, particularly Twitter, using the hashtag #EndSARS to demand the disbandment of the unit, justice for victims of police brutality and comprehensive police reforms. The demonstrations spread to Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and other cities, attracting thousands of young people who also called for better governance, accountability and respect for human rights. On October 11, 2020, the police announced the dissolution of SARS, but protesters continued their demonstrations, insisting on concrete reforms, accountability for alleged abuses and compensation for victims. Tragic The movement…