Fatshimetrie – The quest for justice and systemic reforms remains a constant struggle for citizens, CSOs and the media.
Nigeria is commemorating four years since the bloody crackdown on #EndSARS protesters across the country, marked by the unforgettable use of firearms at the Lekki toll gate by Nigerian Army personnel who opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing some and injuring many others, while others were arrested and detained for four years.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation in Nigeria and abroad, although the Buhari-led government has denied its involvement and the use of the military. Commissions of Inquiry have been set up in various states to hear testimonies from victims and witnesses of the attack, but no concrete action has been taken on the recommendations made by members of the commissions.
Meanwhile, some protesters came out on Sunday, October 20, 2024 to demonstrate at the Lekki toll gate to also mark “Black Sunday” on October 20, 2020, but were dispersed with tear gas by the Nigerian Police.
Interviewed by Fatshimetrie, CSOs expressed disappointment over the sad incident. They stressed that the police and other security agencies need holistic reforms as citizens’ rights are being trampled, and CSOs and the media are almost muzzled by the security agencies.
Culture of impunity in police and other agencies not fully addressed – ANEEJ
The Executive Director of the African Association for Environmental and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, said: “Reflecting on the #EndSARS protest four years on reminds me of a powerful moment in Nigeria’s history, symbolizing a call for justice, accountability and systemic reforms, particularly within the police. It was a collective outrage against police brutality and human rights abuses against young Nigerians.”
“This anniversary brings contrasting emotions: pride in the courage of the youth and frustration at the lack of substantive progress in our economy. The fact that the protesters were dispersed today highlights the ongoing tension between citizens and the state, signaling that the struggle for justice and reform continues.”
“The persistence of the protests shows that these grievances are far from resolved, and that the government’s response remains defensive rather than transformative. This leaves a lasting legacy of awareness-raising, even if the full realization of its demands remains a work in progress..”
Speaking on the change in the attitude of the police towards Nigerians after four years of the #EndSARS protest, he said: “Some changes such as the disbandment of the SARS unit have happened, but these reforms have been mostly superficial.”
“There are still cases of police harassment, brutality and extortion in many parts of the country. While there has been increased awareness and pressure for greater accountability, many Nigerians feel that the underlying culture of impunity within the police has not been fully addressed, and mistrust remains a significant issue between the police and the public.”
Our assessment of police and other security brutality
The police and other security agencies continue to face accusations of brutality and abuse of power. While the #EndSARS movement has highlighted these abuses and some officers have been held accountable, the broader problem of systemic abuse remains.
“Reports of arbitrary arrests, extortion, torture and killings continue to emerge. This indicates that despite some attempts at reform, the culture of brutality is still deeply entrenched within the security agencies, and accountability mechanisms remain weak or perhaps underutilized.”
The core issues that sparked the #EndSARS protests have not been fully addressed
The core issues that sparked the #EndSARS protests – police brutality, lack of accountability and governance failures – have not been fully addressed. Although SARS has been disbanded, the root causes of police misconduct, including poor training, lack of supervision and inadequate living conditions, remain largely ignored.
Commissions of inquiry set up in the wake of the protests have produced recommendations, but implementation of these recommendations has been slow, and many Nigerians feel that justice has not been served to victims of police brutality.
The unnecessary detention of protesters remains a major problem, and was a key demand during the #EndBadGovernance protests. Protesters have often been arrested without just cause, undermining their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. This arbitrary detention has only deepened public distrust of the government, as it reflects an unwillingness to engage with citizens’ demands through dialogue or democratic processes. Rather than addressing the root causes of the protests, the government’s use of detentions and force exacerbates tensions, making meaningful reforms difficult to achieve.