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How the #EndSARS Movement is a Catalyst for Political Change in Nigeria

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Introduction In October 2020, Nigeria witnessed a historic uprising that captured the attention of the world: the #EndSARS movement. Born out of frustration with police brutality, mainly perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the movement rapidly became a powerful catalyst for political change in Nigeria. Beyond its demand to end police brutality, the #EndSARS movement has unearthed deeper issues within Nigerian society and has galvanized a generation to demand accountability, transparency, and good governance. This article delves into how the #EndSARS movement is reshaping the political landscape in Nigeria. Police Brutality and the Emergence of #EndSARS The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was established in Nigeria in 1992 to combat violent crimes such as robbery and kidnapping. However, over the years, the unit became notorious for its excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, extortion, and torture. The tipping point came when a video circulated on social med

The History of Police Brutality in Nigeria and How the #EndSARS Movement is Changing the Landscape

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The #EndSARS movement has taken the world by storm, with Nigerians from all walks of life uniting in a call for an end to police brutality. The movement has been incredibly successful in drawing attention to a long-standing issue in Nigeria: police brutality. This violence has been an unfortunate reality for Nigerians for decades, and as a result, the #EndSARS movement has been a powerful force for change. The history of police brutality in Nigeria dates back to the colonial era when the British used oppressive tactics to enforce their rule. Over the years, the Nigerian police force has been accused of using excessive force and committing human rights violations in order to maintain order and control the population. Evidence of this can be found in reports from the early 2000s, which documented cases of police brutality against Nigerians. The #EndSARS movement is a direct response to this long history of police brutality in Nigeria. The movement began in 2017 with a social media campai

#EndSARS: The Federal Government compensates 74 victims of police abuse with N289 million

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74 victims of human rights violations perpetrated by the former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force have been awarded a total of N289 million in compensation by the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of the #EndSARS campaign (NPF). A presentation of checks to the victims was placed at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja. The chairperson of the board expressed gratitude to those individuals who had filed complaints with the Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations concerning the prohibited SARS and other police units. She thanked them for having faith in the country's human rights mechanisms and for diligently presenting and pursuing their cases in front of the panel. She gave her word to the people of Nigeria that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which is an independent institution, will continue to carry out its duties as outlined in the National Human Rights Commission Act. These duti

Nigerian Security Forces Pursue Peaceful Protesters While Criminals Escape With Their Crimes.

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Nigeria has seen an increase in security problems over the past two years — numerous terrorist attacks, inter-ethnic conflicts, abduction, and assaults on people and government facilities by purported secessionists have all pushed the nation and its inhabitants to the brink. Concerned about the country's deteriorating security situation, state governors established regional security outfits – Amotekun in the Southwest, Ebube Agu in the Southeast, and Shege-Ka-Fasa by the Coalition of Northern Group – to assist the government's security agencies in combating these criminals. However, the country's instability seems to be overwhelming security authorities, as new assaults are being reported daily. Despite this, the government, via its institutions, seems more intent on crushing Nigerians demonstrating against insecurity, poor administration, and deteriorating living conditions throughout the nation than on prosecuting criminals. Between August 2019 and June 2021, several orga