By George Omagbemi
Six years after the #EndSARS protests brought police brutality into the national spotlight, questions about accountability, unlawful arrests, torture, extortion and excessive use of force continue to shape public debate about policing in Nigeria.
The protests of October 2020 began with demands to end abuses associated with the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). They grew into a nationwide movement calling for police accountability, justice for victims and a fundamental change in the relationship between law enforcement officers and citizens.
In response, the Federal Government disbanded SARS and pursued reforms, including the Police Act 2020, which established human rights protection, transparency, professionalism and accountability as important principles of policing. Complaints mechanisms were also provided for citizens to report alleged misconduct.
However, the implementation of these measures remains a major concern for lawyers and human rights advocates.
In a report published on Tuesday, The Guardian quoted Nathaniel Ngwu, convener of the Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria, as saying that unlawful arrests, torture, extortion and excessive force remained concerns in police operations.
Ngwu argued that reforms would have limited impact unless they became part of the police institution’s everyday practices. He also pointed to inadequate funding, poor training and weak accountability as obstacles to meaningful change.
According to him, some police stations lack basic operational resources, while complainants may be asked to provide money to facilitate investigations. He warned that such practices could undermine independent investigations and create opportunities for extortion. These are allegations that require appropriate investigation and accountability where wrongdoing is established.
Chris Okeke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, called for institutional changes to improve access to justice. Among his proposals was the separation of the offices of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, alongside improvements to police recruitment, oversight and enforcement of existing laws.
Another lawyer, Chuks Nwobi, called for a shift from what he described as a colonial-era policing mentality towards a service-oriented approach that prioritises citizens’ rights. He also advocated faster judicial consideration of serious human rights cases, stronger public legal education and sanctions for officers found culpable of misconduct.
Concerns over police conduct have also resurfaced following allegations of excessive force during subsequent demonstrations. Amnesty International reported that at least 24 people were killed during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, while alleging that security personnel used excessive force. Such claims underscore the continuing importance of independent investigations into alleged abuses.
The continuing allegations do not mean that every police officer engages in misconduct. They do, however, reinforce calls for credible investigations, transparent complaint procedures and consistent disciplinary action against officers whose wrongdoing is proven.
Six years after #EndSARS, the challenge is no longer simply to announce reforms or introduce new regulations. It is to demonstrate that those measures are being implemented and that citizens can seek police assistance, exercise their rights and pursue justice without fear of unlawful detention, intimidation or abuse.
For many Nigerians, the lasting measure of police reform will be whether accountability becomes a routine part of law enforcement rather than a promise repeatedly made after public outrage.
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