SITUATION

The hashtags of campaigns against Nigerian police impunity, specifically against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), have in recent days gone viral across social media platforms. This resulted during 8-10 October in wide ranging and enduring protest in a number of large cities, state capitals, Lagos and Abuja.

Although the ‘#EndSARS’ campaign has been active since 2017, recent incidents of casual SARS brutality circulating on social media have galvanised the protest. Further marches called under the hastags ‘#EndSARS’ and ‘#EndSARSNow’ are now being used by other, sometimes criminal elements, as a vehicle to profile their own agendas.

The scale, speed of escalation and enduring nature of the protests during the past week has caught the government and security forces by surprise. Last week the Inspector General of Police (IGP) announced that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operations were to be suspended (for the 4th time in as many years). However, the continuing volume and tenor of the protests over the weekend appears to have forced further concessions, with the IGP’s announcement that SARS will be disbanded.

Activist supporters of the ‘#EndSARS’ movement have continued to protest, demanding wider police accountability, major restructuring of the organisation and proper training and pay levels. Although protests have been largely peaceful, groups are now targeting the transport infrastructure, blocking major roads and international airport access points. In the last few days there have been incidents in which security forces have used excessive force whilst trying to disperse crowds. Consequently, there have been some deaths, as well as a number of injuries and arrests.

There is now alarm within State and Federal Government that protest could escalate out of control. Rivers State has banned further protest whilst the Federal Government has indicated that it will unleash a robust response to further disruption.

BACKGROUND

SARS is a branch of the Nigeria Police Force’s Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID). The Squad came into being in 1992. The squad deals with crimes associated with armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and crimes associated with firearms.

For years SARS has been lambasted for acting beyond the law. Amnesty International's 2016 report stated that ‘SARS is indicted and responsible for human abuse, cruelty, degrading treatment of Nigerians in their custody, and other widespread torture. Some of the human rights abuse by SARS include the shooting of their detainees in the leg, mock or threats of execution, hanging and severe beating.’

ASSESSMENT

Targeting of key transport infrastructure hubs will impact on aspects of national security. Given the latest warnings to the protestors by the Federal Government, continued protest could elicit a swift and heavy-handed response from the security services. Because of the severity of recent clashes, it is quite possible that tear gas and small arms could be used to disperse protestors, which could result in both injury and deaths.

International and national staff of client organisations are recommended to maintain situational awareness of local protest events and to minimise movement until the situation normalises.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Jacob Akniola; jacobakinola@spear-fish.com or Neal Peckham; nealpeckham@spear-fish.com