Six years after #EndSARS, police brutality, harassment persist in Nigeria

Six years after the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, Nigeria’s policing system continues to face allegations of unlawful arrests, torture, extortion and excessive use of force despite several reforms.

According to The Guardian, concerns remain over the effectiveness of measures introduced following nationwide demonstrations against police brutality.

The protests, initially directed at the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), prompted the government to introduce reforms, including the Police Act 2020.

The legislation established accountability, professionalism and human rights protection as fundamental policing principles.

However, allegations of misconduct have persisted, raising questions about the implementation of these reforms.

The Police Service Commission acknowledged that inadequate funding continues to hinder its oversight and disciplinary responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has introduced a revised training curriculum to improve professionalism and address emerging crimes involving technology and artificial intelligence.

Despite these developments, concerns persist over accountability and public trust, with calls for stronger enforcement of existing laws and improved police-citizen relations.