Six Years After #EndSARS, Police-Civilian Trust Remains Fragile

On the sixth anniversary of the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS protests, Nigerian civil society organisations and lawyers called for stronger police accountability and implementation of outstanding judicial panel recommendations. CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Rafsanjani urged independent investigations, sanctions for offending officers, compensation for victims and improved police welfare. Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director Andrew Mamedu said allegations of extortion, arbitrary arrests and excessive force persist, while reports of tear gas being used against anniversary commemorators raised further concerns. The stakeholders also called for safeguards against political misuse of security agencies ahead of the 2027 elections and warned that state police must have effective accountability mechanisms.