#EndSARS Protest in Nigeria: UNOY Members Call for Young People’s Protection
In the last few weeks, millions of young Nigerians at home and abroad joined the #EndSARS protests to demand an end to police brutality, human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, and the excessive use of force by some members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force, which is allegedly responsible for the death of several young people across the country. Some of the protesters have also connected their agitations to the socio-economic conditions of the country and, therefore, called for good governance and accountability from the Nigerian leaders.
On the 20th October 2020, after the Lagos State Government had declared a curfew, protesters in Lekki, Lagos, were attacked and forcefully dispersed by members of the Nigerian military, killing more than five protesters and inflicting wounds on hundreds of people in an attack that was carefully planned and executed by the military.
The protesters ask the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement five basic demands: 1) the release of all illegally detained youth by SARS and all protesters arrested in recent times; 2) thorough and independent investigations into all allegations against SARS; 3) psychological evaluation of all SARS officers, full compensation of families of victims of police brutality and extra-judicial executions; and 5) proper funding of the Nigerian police for effective service delivery and professionalism.
As members of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders in Nigeria, we condemn the attacks on peaceful protesters and all attempts to deny young people their rights to peaceful assembly, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as international treaties and conventions including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
We join our voice with other stakeholders across the world to demand an end to police brutality and human rights violations against civil society, including young people. We urge the government to conduct a full investigation into the killings of peaceful youth protesters and to continue to ensure that young people’s rights are protected and guaranteed. We call on international actors to ensure a transparent and just investigation, and we look to the African Union to ensure accountability.
Signed by UNOY members in Nigeria:
Building Blocks for Peace Foundation
Youth Coalition Against Terrorism
Youth for Peacebuilding and Development in Africa