Six years after #EndSARS, demands for justice remain unmet in Nigeria

Six‑year anniversary of #EndSARS protests

On 20 October 2026, Nigeria marked the sixth anniversary of the nationwide #EndSARS protests that began in October 2020. Outbreaks of violence, including torture, extortion, illegal detentions, and extrajudicial executions attributed to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a Nigeria Police Force division established to combat armed robbery and violent offenses, ignited the public outcry.

The campaign intensified following the viral spread of footage in early October 2020 depicting a law enforcement officer allegedly firing at a youth in Ughelli, Delta State, which mobilized thousands of young Nigerians onto the roads of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and other urban centers. Protesters used the hashtag #EndSARS on Twitter to demand the disbandment of SARS, justice for victims and comprehensive police reforms.

Even after authorities declared the disbandment of SARS on 11 October 2020, protesters persisted in demanding specific structural changes, responsibility for the reported misconduct, and reparations for those affected. The demonstrations culminated in a deadly incident on 20 October 2020, marked by military personnel firing upon crowds gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. According to Amnesty International, no fewer than 12 individuals lost their lives at Lekki and Alausa during that day's events, which have since become commonly known as the Lekki massacre.

Background

The #EndSARS protests were part of a long‑standing concern over alleged abuses by the SARS unit. Prior to the 2020 demonstrations, concerns about SARS had persisted for years, but the incident in Ughelli and the subsequent viral video galvanized public outrage.

Following the protests, the Nigerian government announced the disbandment of SARS. In addition, several judicial panels of inquiry were established in different states to investigate allegations of police brutality. However, critics argue that the recommendations of these panels have not been fully implemented and that accountability remains elusive.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) and lawyers have consistently highlighted that the core demands of the 2020 protests—disbandment of SARS, justice for victims, police reforms and accountability—remain largely unmet. They also note that the commitments made by the government have not been realised, and that the sacrifices made by those affected during the protests have not translated into improved policing.

Why it matters

The failure to address the demands of the #EndSARS movement has significant implications for Nigerian society. The protests were a major expression of youth activism and a call for better governance, accountability and respect for human rights. The continued lack of police reform and the absence of justice for victims of police brutality undermine public trust in law‑enforcement institutions.

Civil society groups, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), have pointed out that key recommendations from judicial panels of inquiry remain unfulfilled. The lack of tangible progress has left many Nigerians, especially young people, feeling that their sacrifices have not led to meaningful change.

The ongoing situation also highlights the broader issue of impunity in Nigeria. The Lekki massacre, which resulted in the deaths of at least 12 protesters, remains a defining moment in the country’s recent history. International condemnation of the incident has not translated into substantial reforms or accountability for those responsible.

What happens next

According to the information available, there are no specific next steps or dates announced by the government or the judicial panels of inquiry. Civil society organisations continue to call for the implementation of the panels’ recommendations and for concrete reforms to police practices.

The anniversary has served as a reminder that the core demands of the 2020 protests—disbandment of SARS, justice for victims and comprehensive police reforms—are still pending. The continued lack of progress suggests that further advocacy and pressure may be required to achieve the changes sought by the movement.