In October 2020, Nigeria witnessed one of the most significant youth-led protest movements in its modern history: the #EndSARS demonstrations. Sparked by decades of police brutality, especially by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the protests rapidly evolved into a broader call for accountability, justice, and reform. Beyond policing, the movement symbolised a generational demand for transparent governance, social justice, and civic renewal.
The Origins of SARS and Public Distrust.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was established in 1992 as a unit within the Nigeria Police Force to combat violent crime and armed robbery. SARS officers typically operated in plain clothes and were intended to provide a swift response to armed criminal activity.
However, by the late 1990s and into the 2000s, reports of abuse had become widespread. Instead of reducing crime, SARS increasingly became associated with human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, extortion, and extrajudicial killings. Amnesty International, in 2016 and again in 2019, documented dozens of cases of unlawful detention, torture, and brutality, lending credibility to what Nigerians had long alleged.
Young Nigerians were disproportionately targeted, often profiled for their appearance or possessions. Tattoos, dreadlocks, laptops, or even driving an expensive car were treated by SARS officers as “proof” of cybercrime. Social media, particularly Twitter, became a repository for testimonies, videos, and citizen-led documentation of SARS abuses, amplifying public outrage and mobilising collective anger.
Early Waves of #EndSARS Activism.
Discontent with SARS pre-dated 2020. In 2017, campaigners such as Segun Awosanya (popularly known as Segalink) launched the online #EndSARS movement. Their demands for accountability gained momentum, prompting the Nigerian government to make repeated pledges to reform or restructure the unit.
Announcements in 2014, 2015, and 2017 promised reorganisation, but little changed in practice. Each time, SARS continued operations under different names or with minimal oversight, reinforcing public distrust. By 2019, frustrations with SARS had grown into a nationwide grievance that extended beyond the unit itself to deeper issues of governance and corruption.
The Trigger of October 2020.
The immediate spark came in early October 2020 when a video circulated online showing SARS officers allegedly shooting a young man in Ughelli, Delta State. Although the police disputed the video, public outrage was immediate and widespread. Hashtags and footage spread rapidly across Twitter and Instagram, triggering nationwide demonstrations.
Nigerian celebrities and influencers amplified the protests, while international figures, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey, expressed solidarity. This gave the movement strong global visibility, though the driving force and coordination remained Nigerian-led.
Organisation and Solidarity.
Unlike many earlier protests, #EndSARS was decentralised and leaderless. Young Nigerians across cities coordinated logistics through volunteers and grassroots networks. A key player was the Feminist Coalition, a group of young Nigerian women who emerged as an organisational hub. They raised funds both domestically and internationally, providing protesters with food, medical care, security, legal representation, and bail funds.
The demands of protesters quickly crystallised into five core points:
- The permanent dissolution of SARS.
- Justice and compensation for victims of police violence.
- Prosecution of abusive officers.
- Comprehensive reform of the police force.
- Better salaries and welfare for police officers to reduce systemic corruption.
Government Response and Announcement of Disbandment.
On 11 October 2020, the Inspector-General of Police announced the dissolution of SARS. Yet, public scepticism remained high, shaped by previous failed promises. The government’s decision to create a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team almost immediately was widely viewed as a cosmetic rebranding rather than genuine reform.
As a result, the protests did not end. Instead, they broadened into a wider expression of frustration over governance, unemployment, corruption, and insecurity.
The Lekki Toll Gate Shooting.
The defining and most controversial moment of the protests occurred on 20 October 2020 at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. Security forces dispersed peaceful demonstrators using live ammunition after streetlights were turned off and a CCTV camera was reportedly removed. Amnesty International stated that at least 12 people were killed nationwide that night, though it did not specify that all occurred at Lekki.
The Nigerian Army initially denied any involvement but later admitted troops had been deployed to the site. Eyewitness testimony, video evidence, and investigations, including the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry, confirmed that soldiers fired live rounds at unarmed demonstrators.
The exact death toll remains contested: while the Lagos Judicial Panel described the event as a “massacre” of unarmed civilians, federal authorities continue to dispute this classification. Nonetheless, the incident became a lasting symbol of state violence and a turning point in public trust between the government and its citizens.
International Impact and Diaspora Solidarity.
The movement gained widespread international solidarity. Diaspora communities organised rallies in London, New York, Toronto, Berlin, and other cities. Human rights organisations called for independent investigations into police abuses, while major media outlets gave the protests sustained coverage.
At the same time, digital disinformation campaigns circulated online, attempting to portray protesters as violent or politically manipulated. Despite this, #EndSARS demonstrated the power of digital activism and the global connections of Nigerian youth.
Aftermath and Continued Advocacy.
In the wake of the Lekki shootings, state governments imposed curfews, and security forces intensified crackdowns on activists. Bank accounts linked to organisers, including the Feminist Coalition, were frozen, while others faced intimidation, harassment, or travel restrictions.
Judicial Panels of Inquiry were established across several states to investigate abuses and compensate victims. While some families received damages, implementation has been uneven, and deeper reforms to policing remain incomplete.
Annual memorials of 20 October have continued, often facing restrictions or heavy policing, underscoring the contested nature of the protests’ legacy.
Historical Significance of #EndSARS
The #EndSARS protests went beyond demands for police reform. They redefined how young Nigerians relate to state authority and showcased the power of collective mobilisation in the digital age. The movement also highlighted a moment of rare unity across ethnic, religious, and class lines.
Although SARS was officially disbanded, systemic reform of the police and justice system remains largely unfulfilled. Still, the legacy of #EndSARS lies in its role as a generational awakening, demonstrating the creativity, resilience, and civic potential of Nigerian youth.
Author’s Note.
The 2020 #EndSARS protests remain a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic history. They exposed not only systemic abuses in policing but also the entrenched weaknesses of governance. While many demands remain unmet, the courage and ingenuity displayed during the protests continue to inspire civic action. The challenge for Nigeria is whether this collective energy can be channelled into lasting institutional reforms that secure justice, accountability, and human dignity.
References:
Amnesty International (2016, 2019). Nigeria: Time to End Impunity – Torture and other violations by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry (2021). Report of the Judicial Panel into SARS-related abuses and the Lekki Toll Gate incident.
Human Rights Watch (2020). Nigeria: Investigate Lekki Toll Gate Killings of Protesters.
