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ENDSARS Protest: Why the Nigerian Youth Movement Against Police Brutality?

Nigerian youths have led a massive protest for 9 days and counting against the FSARS, demanding a total ban and an end to all forms of police brutality.

Here is why

Who are the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad(FSARS)

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad was founded in late 1992 by a former police commissioner, Simeon Danladi Midenda when a Colonel of the Nigerian Army, Col. Rindam was killed by Police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.

When the Nigerian Army became aware of the incident, soldiers were dispatched to the streets in search of any Policeman they could find. Policemen allegedly fleed for their lives abandoning checkpoints, security areas, and other points of interest for criminals; some were even said to have resigned. As a result, the crime rate increased with armed robbers taking over Lagos.

SARS was formed with only 15 officers operating in the shadows without knowledge of the Nigerian Army. This was due to the existence of three already established three anti-robbery squad which was operational at that time. Midenda needed to distinguish his squad from the already existing teams hence naming his team, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

After months of dialogue, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force came to an understanding and official police duty began again in Lagos. The SARS unit was officially commissioned in Lagos following a ceasefire by the Army.

SARS became 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 forms of crimes.

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What was their Method of Operation?

During its formation, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was known to operate secretly. SARS operatives were not allowed to wear a police uniform, publicly carry guns, or have walkie-talkies. They were given unmarked vehicles with sometimes no license plates or private plate numbers during duty.

Early Reactions by Nigerians

Although the squad was created as a faceless police unit that performs undercover operations against crime, it has been recorded several times that SARS officers have been alleged to be engaged in human right abuses, illegal stop and search, illegal arrest and detention, unauthorized killings, sexual harassment of women and brutalizing many young Nigerians. The alleged human rights abuse of the SARS squad has been seen in trending videos on social media.

In 2017, Segun Awosanya actively took up the #ENDSARS campaign on social media alongside other activists. This ended in backings and protests by people to end the police brutality and scrap the unpopular police unit.

According to Amnesty International’s 2016 report, SARS is indicted and responsible for human abuse, cruelty, degrading treatment of Nigerians in their custody, and other widespread torture. Some of the human right abuse by SARS include the shooting of their detainees in the leg, mock or threats of execution, hanging, and severe beating.

A 2020 publication by the organization indicates that between January 2017 and May 2020, they have documented 82 cases of abuses and illegal killings by SARS.

October 2020 Resurgences

Saturday 3 October 2020, a video started trending on social media showing a SARS police officer shoot a young Nigerian in front of Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State. It was alleged that the police officers took away the young man’s vehicle. The trending video caused a public uproar on social media, especially on twitter, with the hashtag #ENDSARS beginning to trend.

Thursday 8 October 2020, nation-wide ENDSARS Protest started after weeks of outcry 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.

The Nigeria Police Force was seen disrupting the ENDSARS protests in some cities, throwing teargas, water cannons, and shooting at unarmed peaceful protesters in Abuja, Lagos, and Osun. This led to the death of 10 Nigerians.

5for5 End SARS Demands

Sunday, 11 October 2020, the protesters put up five demands to be met by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The demands which were signed by ‘A Nigerian Youth’ had the following request:

1. Asks for the immediate release of all arrested during the protests as well as justice.
2. Compensation for all who died through police brutality in Nigeria.
3. Demanded that an independent body be set up within 10 days to investigate and prosecute all reports. of police misconduct.
4. The protestors also asked for psychological evaluation and retraining of SARS operatives before they are deployed to any other police unit.
5. They asked for adequate remuneration for Nigerian police.

The Federal Government’s Reply to the Uproar

In response to the public outcry on the police brutality, the Inspector-General of Nigeria Police banned the FSARS, Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad, and other tactical units from mounting of roadblocks, checkpoints, stop and search and other routine and patrols. However, the Nigerian government has banned and restructured the FSARS 4 times before this recent ban. This action has caused the citizens of Nigeria to question the authenticity of the ban.

Further infuriating the protesters was the fact that shortly after the ban was placed some SARS officers reportedly killed and were shooting at peaceful protesters. Following this, ENDSARS protesters insisted on scrapping the police unit instead of a ban.

On the 9^th of October 2020, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Hamzat spoke to the protesters accepting that police officers do not have the right to invade the rights of lawful citizens for owning gadgets. He condemned the act and assured that the Lagos government will take needed action.

On that same day, the Lagos State House of Assembly held an emergency parliamentary sitting to deliberate the petition of the EndSARS protesters. They made a seven-point resolution that Nigeria’s Senate and House of Assembly should probe FSARS, the commissioner of police should protect protesters, Harassment of youths should be stopped, An institution of public inquiry on the extra-judicial killings should be set up by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Banning of SARS and replacement of the unit for a new one with a clear code of conduct and sanction of illegitimacies

Two days after,11^th of October, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu announced the disbanding of SARS. Many Nigerians criticized the announcement, noting that similar promises have been made earlier and that the government planning to reallocate SARS officers to other police departments rather than eliminate them from the force entirely didn’t sit well with them. The protests continued.

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor on the 12^th of October 2020, announced that he banned any form of protests in the State. However, ENDSARS protesters defied the ban insisting that the constitution in a democratic government gives them the right to protest.

On that same day, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde barred the Police from engaging with the protestors to prevent further casualties.

On the 13th October 2020, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa the Governor of Delta State announced the constitution of a five-member Police Complaints Committee with two representatives from youth organizations

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Police Force, Frank Mba also announced the setting up of a Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) to replace SARS. The new unit which is expected to take off within the next 7 days will undergo a psychological and medical evaluation to determine their fitness

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu promised to set up a N200M fund for residents of the State who have been victims of police cruelty.

A press release signed by the Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina indicates that the Nigerian Government has agreed to the five demands of the ENDSARS protesters. The agreement was reached at a meeting organized by the Office of the Inspector General of Police and National Human Rights Commission. It was attended by stakeholders which included officials of the Ministry of Police Affairs and Police Service Commission, representatives of Civil Society Organizations, and activists from the entertainment industry.

Pro-SARS, ENDSARS Clash

Wednesday, 14 October 2020, There was chaos in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and the commercial capital Lagos on as ENDSARS protesters were attacked by other groups against the campaign.

Several persons were injured and vehicles vandalized as the invasion of the new groups led to a clash at the popular Berger Roundabout in Abuja. Armed policemen and other security agents who were around could not contain the situation.

Some of them were captured by the #ENDSARS activist and some that were injured rushed to the hospital by the #ENDSARS Activists.

One of the Pro-SARS activists allegedly said they were paid #1,500 to Disrupt the peaceful ENDSARS protest.

Thursday, 15 October 2020, the ENDSARS protesters demonstrated peacefully at the National Assembly in Abuja and other states in the Country.

A press statement was released by FCTA, banning any ENDSARS protest or demonstration within the FCT because of the violation of the safety protocols which were put in place to safeguard the lives of citizens. This, however, did not make the citizens budge as they continued protesting.

Social Media Influence on the Protest

Social media, most especially twitter has played a pivotal role in aiding the protest., Information on meeting spots and protest spots are shared daily on social media using the hashtags. More so similar brands have synergized online to provide basic human requirements such as medical aids, food, water, hot tea, raincoats, solar charging spots, etc, to aid the protest and help make protesters comfortable.

A total of 62 million has been donated by Nigerians with the aid of Flutter Wave, a fin-tech company, who created a payment link to aid contributions. These funds are being donated for the welfare of the protesters and to cover for inconveniences that might occur in the course of the movement.

NGO’s such as the feminist coalition and celebrities are at the forefront of these donations with accounts being balanced daily on twitter of every kobo spent pursuing the #EndSars now #EndSwat course.

On twitter, protesters made a pact to ensure a litter-free protest which led to protesters cleaning grounds of the ENDSARS protest in Abuja and Lagos. The ENDSARS movement has shown a united front among Nigerian youths with twitter playing a major role as a virtual meeting ground to discuss matters arising.

Notable celebrities at the forefront of this ENDSARS campaign includes; Falz, Runtown, Mr.Marcaroni, FkAbudu, Davido, Wizkid, Vector, Patoranking, Tacha and international celebrities like BigSean, Treysongz, Kanye West, Cardi B among others.

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