The #EndSARS Movement

Origins and Background

The #EndSARS movement began as a social media campaign using the hashtag #EndSARS to demand the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigeria Police Force. SARS was established in 1992 to combat armed robbery and other serious crimes but became infamous for alleged human rights abuses, including:

  • Extrajudicial killings
  • Torture and cruel treatment of suspects
  • Arbitrary arrests
  • Extortion and harassment, particularly of young Nigerians
  • Profiling of youth based on appearance (dreadlocks, tattoos, smartphones, etc.)

While complaints about SARS had circulated for years, the movement gained significant momentum in October 2020 following the circulation of a video allegedly showing SARS officers shooting a young man in Delta State. This sparked widespread outrage and triggered nationwide protests.

The 2020 Protests

What began as online activism quickly transformed into one of Nigeria's largest and most organized protest movements in recent history:

  • Scale: Protests erupted in major cities across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano, with solidarity demonstrations held in cities around the world.
  • Demographics: The movement was predominantly led by young Nigerians, many participating in protests for the first time, cutting across ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic divides.
  • Organization: The protests were notably decentralized, with no single leader or organization in charge. Coordination happened through social media, particularly Twitter.
  • Funding: Protesters raised funds through crowdfunding platforms to provide food, medical care, legal aid, and other support services.
  • Duration: The main protests lasted for approximately two weeks in October 2020, though online activism continued beyond this period.

Key Demands

The protesters articulated five main demands, which became known as the "5for5":

  1. Immediate release of all arrested protesters
  2. Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families
  3. Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct
  4. Psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed
  5. Increase in police salary to provide adequate compensation for protecting the lives and property of citizens

As the protests continued, the demands expanded to include broader calls for good governance, accountability, and an end to corruption.

Government Response

The Nigerian government's response to the protests evolved over time:

  • Initial Announcements: On October 11, 2020, the Inspector General of Police announced the dissolution of SARS and its replacement with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
  • Continued Protests: Protesters rejected this announcement, viewing it as merely a rebranding rather than substantive reform, and continued demonstrations with the slogan "#EndSWAT."
  • State-Level Judicial Panels: The National Economic Council directed states to establish judicial panels of inquiry to investigate allegations of police brutality and recommend compensation for victims.
  • Lekki Toll Gate Incident: On October 20, 2020, Nigerian security forces allegedly opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, resulting in casualties. The exact number of deaths remains disputed.
  • Aftermath: Following the Lekki incident, violence erupted in several cities, with looting, destruction of property, and attacks on police stations. Several states imposed curfews, and the protests gradually subsided.

Impact and Outcomes

The #EndSARS movement had several significant impacts:

  • Police Reform: The dissolution of SARS and the establishment of judicial panels to investigate police brutality represented concrete, if limited, steps toward police reform.
  • Political Awakening: The protests mobilized a generation of young Nigerians who had previously been perceived as politically apathetic, potentially reshaping future political engagement.
  • International Attention: The movement attracted global media coverage and statements of support from international organizations, governments, and celebrities.
  • Digital Activism: #EndSARS demonstrated the power of social media for organizing protests, raising funds, and shaping narratives in Nigeria's political landscape.
  • Judicial Panels: The panels established in various states heard hundreds of petitions and awarded compensation to some victims of police brutality, though implementation has been uneven.

The Lagos State Judicial Panel and White Paper

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters was particularly significant:

  • Panel Findings: In November 2021, the panel submitted its report, concluding that the events at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, could be described as a "massacre in a context."
  • Government White Paper: The Lagos State Government subsequently released a white paper that rejected some of the panel's findings, particularly regarding the number of casualties.
  • Ongoing Controversy: The events at Lekki Toll Gate remain contentious, with disputes over what happened, who was responsible, and how many people were killed or injured.

Continuing Legacy

The #EndSARS movement continues to resonate in Nigerian politics and society:

  • Anniversary Commemorations: Attempts to mark the anniversary of the protests have been met with heavy security presence and, in some cases, arrests of participants.
  • Ongoing Activism: Many activists who emerged during #EndSARS continue to advocate for police reform, good governance, and accountability.
  • Electoral Impact: The movement may have influenced youth participation in the 2023 general elections, with some observers noting increased registration and voting among young Nigerians.
  • Cultural Impact: The movement has been commemorated in music, art, literature, and documentaries, ensuring its place in Nigeria's cultural memory.
  • Unresolved Issues: Many of the underlying issues that sparked the protests—police brutality, impunity, and governance failures—remain significant challenges in Nigeria.

Lessons and Reflections

The #EndSARS movement offers several lessons for Nigerian politics and civil society:

  • Youth Power: The movement demonstrated the potential of Nigeria's youth to mobilize for political change when sufficiently motivated.
  • Digital Organization: Social media proved effective for organizing decentralized protests and bypassing traditional gatekeepers.
  • Cross-Cutting Solidarity: The protests temporarily transcended Nigeria's typical ethnic, religious, and regional divides, suggesting the possibility of issue-based politics.
  • Limits of Protest: The movement's eventual suppression highlighted the challenges of translating street protests into sustainable political change.
  • Institutional Reform: The experience underscored the difficulty of reforming entrenched institutions like the police force through external pressure alone.
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