In October 2020, Nigeria witnessed one of the largest youth-led protest movements in its history the #EndSARS movement. Sparked by decades of police brutality, particularly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the protests evolved into a global call for accountability, good governance, and systemic reform. The movement was not only a defining political moment in Nigeria’s democratic era but also a cultural and generational awakening that reshaped civic engagement in the country.
Background: The Origins of SARS and Growing Public Anger
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was established in 1992 as a unit within the Nigeria Police Force to tackle armed robbery and violent crimes. Initially operating undercover and without uniforms, SARS was intended to be an elite crime-fighting squad. However, over the years, its reputation deteriorated as reports of abuse, harassment, extortion, and extrajudicial killings began to surface.
By the 2000s, SARS officers were notorious for targeting young people particularly those with smartphones, laptops, tattoos, dreadlocks, or fashionable clothes under the suspicion of cybercrime. This profiling disproportionately affected Nigeria’s youth, who make up a significant percentage of the population. Social media became a vital platform for victims and witnesses to document and share their experiences, gradually building an online archive of abuse.
The First Wave of #EndSARS Protests
While public dissatisfaction with SARS had been simmering for years, the hashtag #EndSARS first gained major traction in 2017, initiated by activist Segun Awosanya (Segalink) and other concerned citizens. This earlier wave of activism led to temporary promises of reform by the government, but SARS continued to operate largely unchanged.
In 2018 and 2019, Amnesty International published detailed reports documenting numerous cases of torture, unlawful detention, and killings by SARS operatives. Despite repeated public outcry, government action was minimal, further eroding trust between citizens and the state.
The Spark of October 2020
The turning point came in early October 2020 when a video allegedly showing SARS officers shooting a young man in Delta State went viral. Though police authorities denied the incident, the footage ignited a wave of anger. Young Nigerians, fueled by years of frustration, began organizing protests through Twitter and Instagram.
Social media influencers, celebrities, and ordinary citizens joined forces to coordinate peaceful demonstrations across the country. The hashtag #EndSARS trended globally, drawing attention from international figures like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Jack Dorsey.
Protest Organization and Solidarity
The 2020 #EndSARS protests were remarkable for their decentralized and grassroots nature. There were no singular leaders; instead, coordination came from networks of activists, lawyers, medics, and volunteers. The Feminist Coalition, a group of young Nigerian women, played a critical role in raising funds, providing food, medical supplies, and legal aid for arrested protesters.
The movement’s demands went beyond just ending SARS. Protesters called for:
Immediate disbandment of SARS
Justice and compensation for victims of police brutality
Prosecution of offending officers
Police reform and better training
Improved welfare and salaries for officers to reduce corruption
Government Response and Disbandment of SARS
On October 11, 2020, under mounting pressure, the Inspector General of Police announced the dissolution of SARS. However, skepticism remained high because SARS had been “disbanded” multiple times in the past, only to resurface under different names. The government promised to replace SARS with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, but many protesters viewed this as a cosmetic change rather than genuine reform.
Despite the official announcement, protests continued, reflecting deeper grievances about governance, unemployment, corruption, and the lack of trust in state institutions.
The Lekki Toll Gate Shooting
On October 20, 2020, the protests took a tragic turn. In Lagos, peaceful protesters gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate were met with a military crackdown. Multiple eyewitnesses, livestream videos, and reports from organizations like Amnesty International alleged that soldiers fired live bullets at unarmed demonstrators.
While the Nigerian Army initially denied involvement, subsequent testimonies and an investigative panel confirmed that excessive force was used, resulting in deaths and injuries. The Lekki Toll Gate shooting became the defining and most controversial moment of the #EndSARS movement, cementing it as a watershed event in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Global Impact and Diaspora Involvement
The movement quickly gained international attention. Nigerian diaspora communities held solidarity protests in cities like London, New York, and Toronto. Global media outlets covered the events extensively, and human rights organizations called for investigations.
Social media platforms became digital battlegrounds for truth, with activists documenting abuses while government-linked accounts attempted to discredit the protests. The sheer visibility of #EndSARS reshaped perceptions of Nigeria’s youth as politically active, socially aware, and capable of mobilizing without traditional structures.
Aftermath and Continued Struggle
Following the Lekki incident, the government imposed curfews in several states and cracked down on protest organizers, freezing bank accounts and arresting key activists. The Feminist Coalition and other groups shifted their focus to legal advocacy and victim support.
Judicial panels of inquiry were set up in various states to investigate police brutality. While some victims received compensation, many Nigerians remain dissatisfied with the pace and transparency of justice. The movement’s momentum slowed due to state repression, but its spirit persisted online through annual memorials and continued activism.
Why #EndSARS Matters in Nigerian History
The #EndSARS movement was more than just a protest against police brutality it was a generational demand for a new social contract between the Nigerian state and its citizens. It exposed the power of social media in mobilizing civic action and challenged the traditional top-down structure of Nigerian politics.
For many, it marked the first time that youth felt united across ethnic, religious, and class divides. It also reshaped global perceptions of Nigeria, showcasing the resilience and creativity of its younger generation in the face of systemic injustice.
Author’s Note
The #EndSARS protests of 2020 remain a landmark in Nigeria’s democratic journey. They revealed both the deep fractures within the Nigerian state and the boundless potential of its youth to imagine and fight for a better future. While SARS itself may be gone in name, the movement’s legacy continues to influence conversations about governance, human rights, and civic responsibility in Nigeria.
The challenge now lies in transforming the movement’s energy into lasting institutional change ensuring that the cry of “End SARS” becomes more than a moment in history, but a turning point for justice in Nigeria.
