Special Anti-Robbery Squad

Last updated

Special Anti-Robbery Squad
AbbreviationSARS
Agency overview
Formed1992
Dissolved11 October 2020
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Nigeria
Nigeria sm02.gif
Nigeria
Size923,768 km2
Population206 million
Governing body Ministry of Police Affairs
Constituting instruments
  • Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)
  • Nigeria Police Act 2020
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters Louis Edet House, Abuja
Website
www.npf.gov.ng

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was a Nigerian Police Force unit created in late 1992 to deal with crimes associated with robbery, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and firearms. It was part of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), headed by the then Deputy Inspector General of Police Anthony Ogbizi. [1]

Contents

SARS was controversial for its links to extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, extortion, torture, framing, blackmail, kidnapping, illegal organ trade, armed robbery, home invasions, rape of men and women, child arrests, the invasion of privacy, and polluting bodies of water with the illegal disposal of human remains. SARS was investigated several times in response to protests, but without results; reforms were promised in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. [2] [3] The unit was disbanded on 11 October 2020 after worldwide protests under the motto "End SARS" occurred. [4] [5]

History

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was founded in late 1992 by former police commissioner Simeon Danladi Midenda. The inciting events that spurred SARS formation were the killing of Colonel Ezra Dindam Rimdan (Nigerian Army) by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos in September 1992, their arrest, [6] a strike by police officers in response, and a subsequent crime wave. [7] [8] [9] When the information about Rimdan's death and the police's complicity reached the army, soldiers were dispatched into the streets of Lagos in search of any and all police officers. The Nigerian police withdrew from checkpoints, security areas, and other points of interest for criminals; some police officers allegedly resigned while others fled for their lives. [9] Due to the absence of police for two weeks, the crime rate increased. In response, SARS was formed with an initial force of fifteen men and two Peugeot station wagons. [7] Three police anti-robbery squads (the first of which was established in 1984) were already operating at that time, so Midenda needed to distinguish his squad from the existing teams. Midenda named his team the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. [7] [9] After two weeks of dialogue, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force came to an understanding, and official police duties resumed in Lagos. [9] In November 1992, the SARS unit was officially commissioned in Lagos.[ citation needed ]

At the time, SARS was one of the fourteen units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, [10] and was established to detain, investigate, and prosecute those involved in violent crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping. [3] [11]

Incidents

In mid-1996, the SARS Lagos branch arrested two security guards at their place of work under suspicion of assisting in a robbery. The two guards were not charged with a crime when arrested. In January 1997, the bodies of the guards were placed at a morgue without an explanation for their deaths. [12]

In October 2005, a SARS operative killed a bus driver in Obiaruku, Delta State, for failing to pay a bribe. The operative was removed from their SARS position and arrested on charges of murder. [13]

In 2009, after several years of operations, the squad grew in number and strength. Due to the increased presence of internet fraudsters and secret societies in Nigerian universities, SARS operatives infiltrated them and made several successful arrests, but in the process harassed innocent people.

What SARS became was a national scourge that witch-hunt machinery against Nigerian youth with dreadlocks, piercings, cars, expensive phones and risque means of expression.

— Motoani Alake, "#EndSARS: What exactly is the status of SARS?", pulse.ng (23 January 2019) [14]

In May 2010, Amnesty International disclosed that it would be suing the Nigerian Police over human rights abuses, stating that SARS operatives in Borokiri, Port Harcourt, had arrested three bicyclists and detained them for over one week while they were "beaten every night with the butt of a gun and iron belt". [15] On 20 May 2010, a Federal High Court in Enugu State ordered the then-Inspector General of Police Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo to produce a SARS officer who had shot dead a 15-year-old boy at his high school. According to the SARS officer, the teen was mistaken for a kidnapper. [16] On 27 July 2010, Sahara Reporters published an extensive editorial report detailing how SARS and other police units had made a profit of ₦9.35 billion ($60 million) from roadblocks and extortion within 18 months. [17]

On 3 June 2011, the Nigeria Police Force discovered an attempt by SARS operative Musa Agbu to bomb the Force's headquarters. [18]

Following several reports of human rights violations submitted by members of the public to the office of the Inspector General of Police, on 7 August 2015, the then-Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase announced he would split the SARS unit into two units—an operational unit and an investigations unit—in order to curtail cases of human rights violations. [19] In September 2016, Pulse.ng compiled a report on Nigerian police brutality entitled "Meet SARS, the Police Unit with license to kill", which highlighted the brutality and ignorance of the squad's rules of engagement. [20]

A September 2016 report published by Amnesty International detailed extensive torture and detainment without trial. The report detailed SARS forcing confessions, withholding food, and other abuses. [21]

On 10 August 2019, while SARS operatives were on a raid in Ijegun to arrest kidnappers in the area, several shots were fired in an attempt to subdue the kidnappers; one of these shots hit a pregnant woman who was reportedly killed instantly. An angry mob was said to have lynched two of the officers on the spot. [22] [23] [24]

On 21 August 2019, four SARS operatives were arrested and charged with murder after being caught on film manhandling and then shooting to death two suspected phone thieves in broad daylight. [25] The suspected thieves were shot dead after they had already been arrested. [25]

On 5 September 2019, operatives of the SARS in Lekki, Lagos, allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and robbed Nigerian rapper Ikechukwu Onunaku for no clear reason. According to publications by Punch Nigeria, SARS operatives forced Onunaku to make several ATM withdrawals. [26] [27]

Modus operandi

During its formation, SARS was known to operate covertly. Operatives were not allowed to wear a police uniform or publicly carry guns or walkie-talkies, and were given unmarked vehicles that sometimes had no license plates or private plate numbers during duty. [28]

Reform and disbanding attempts

2017 End SARS Campaign

In December 2017, Segun Awosanya spearheaded an online advocacy campaign that demanded an end to SARS brutality in the country. The campaign started on social media from the hashtag #EndSARS, created by Twitter user @Letter_to_jack in a post demanding that the federal government of Nigeria scrap and end the deployment of SARS. The public responded positively to the hashtag, with people all over Nigeria posting about their experiences with SARS. [29] The campaign was reported by international media. [30] [31] By mid December, the campaign took to the streets with protests occurring in Abuja. [32]

The Nigeria Police Force endured backlash over comments made by Public Relations Officer Jimoh Moshood, who accused the campaigners of being "criminals" and "robbers". Moshood also called for the campaigners to come forward so that SARS could investigate them. [33]

During the 8th National Assembly, Nigeria's Senate backed the call for scrapping SARS. [34]

Presidential reform attempts

On 14 August 2018, the Acting President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo ordered with immediate effect the "overhaul" of SARS following reports of human rights violation. The acting president ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to reform SARS and carry out an independent investigation after "persistent complaints and reports" concerning human rights violations. [35] After the order, the IGP announced that the unit would be renamed the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, [36] a new head of the unit would be appointed, and the provision of human rights desk officers to check reports. [37] [38]

Decentralization

On 21 January 2019, IGP Mohammed Adamu ordered the immediate decentralization of SARS. The unit was centralized from the force headquarters in Abuja since its inception; the IGP also stated that the DIG of Force Criminal Investigations Department and Commissioners of Police in each state would be held accountable for actions of the SARS. [39] [40]

2020 End SARS campaign

Efforts to ban SARS increased in October 2020 after a SARS police officer shot a young Nigerian man in front of the Wetland Hotel in Ughelli, Delta State. Video of the incident trended on social media, leading to nationwide protests within a few days. [41] The protests quickly expanded from an online hashtag to widespread street protests in days. Popular Nigerian Twitter influencers Rinnu, FK, Kelvin Odanz, Dr. Dipo Awojide, and several others quickly joined in raising awareness of the protests, which gave End SARS protestors added weight and support.

Peaceful #EndSARS protestors in Abuja, the nation's capital, were attacked, beaten, and chased away by federal police officers, but protestors returned as they took the protests to the Police Force Headquarters.

Several reports on international news outlets, including BBC Africa and Al-Jazeera, showed federal police tear-gassing protestors, shooting live ammunition, and using water cannons on them.

On 9 October in Ogbomosho in Oyo State, a protestor named Jimoh Isiaq was shot dead by police officers while participating in the #EndSARS protests. His death at the hands of police officers further increased the anger nationwide as he became a martyr for protesters. Several hashtags, including #EndPoliceBrutality and #RememberJimoh, trended on Twitter. On 10 October, a police station in Ijebu-Ode, South-Western Nigeria, was attacked by protestors angry over the death of Jimoh Isiaq and several others who had died at the hands of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

In Lagos, protestors marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand an end to SARS. The following morning, an emergency session of the Lagos House of Assembly was held as lawmakers allowed some protestors into the building to observe proceedings. A motion was passed and agreed on by legislators who voted in favour of the protestors to end the rogue police unit SARS and sent the recommendations of the House to the Federal Government.

On 11 October, the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu announced the disbandment of SARS on live television and said a new tactical team would be unveiled shortly.

However, protests continued as Nigerians believed the announcement was just "audio talk" (Nigerian slang used to describe something that is said but not implemented). The new hashtags #EndSWAT and #SARSMUSTEND went international as protestors called for the new unit to be scrapped as they thought several members of the defunct SARS would be integrated into the new unit.

Back in Southern Nigeria, the Rivers State government unconstitutionally placed a ban on all forms of protests in the oil-rich state, asking police to arrest any defaulters. However, on 13 October, EndSARS protestors marched in defiance of the ban, all the way up to the State Government House, where the governor resides.

In Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, protestors marched asking for an end to police brutality and the disbandment of SARS. In Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Benin City, Edo State, thousands of Nigerian youths marched in solidarity asking the government to end police brutality. In Benin City, police tear-gassed protestors and arrested some and charged them with treason and attempted murder. However, according to reports on Twitter and media websites, they were later released after the Attorney-General of the State asked the Police Commissioner to let them go, although arrested protestors were asked to come with a surety to sign on their behalf before they would be released.

The End SARS protests were largely decentralized with no actual leaders, though there were protest organizers in several cities who created WhatsApp groups, fundraised, and supplied protestors on the ground with food, medicine, and other supplies. Legal services were acquired and doctors were deployed on ground to administer first aid to protestors. Protestors had access to ambulance services obtained with funds donated by people in Nigeria and abroad including donations via bitcoin and lawyers went from city to city providing arrested protestors with representation and facilitating bails.

As the protests gained more momentum and exposure in Abuja, protestors returned in the thousands to the Police Headquarters and once again were shot at with water cannons and live ammunition.

Popular Twitter activist Aisha Yesufu was reportedly beaten by male police officers, and her car was damaged by police trucks chasing protestors in the streets of Abuja. Politicians and top government officials kept silent including presidential hopeful Bola Tinubu in Lagos, as police officers in Surulere shot and killed several protestors. Several young people were injured and their cars damaged, while others were brutalized by police officers in police stations.

In total, eight people including a 10-year-old boy were killed in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, by police bullets while at least three were shot dead in Lagos—including an auto mechanic who was not part of the protests but was killed by a SARS officer in Lagos.

On 16 October, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey revealed a new #ENDSARS emoji on Twitter that carries the colors of the Nigerian flag that is added to tweets whenever the hashtag #EndSARS is used as a sign of support for Nigerian protestors. On the same day, after a week and a half of widespread national protests, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in a series of Twitter posts told Nigerians he chaired a meeting of 36 state governors and the Minister of the FCT to set up judicial panels of inquiry, "so [they] can see justice served, and fast". His statements came as protestors occupied streets and remained defiant until their demands are implemented.

On 18 October 2020, the Nigerian Army announced its annual training exercise "Operation Crocodile Smile VI", a program which included a cyber warfare exercise component that sought to identify, track, and counter "negative comments on social media across the country". [42] [43] The operation also sought to confiscate arms and ammunition that had been used in violent crimes that escalated during the protests.

In the Lekki massacre on the night of 20 October 2020, Nigerian Armed Forces shot at End SARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, Nigeria. The number of casualties is disputed, with witnesses and Amnesty International saying several people were shot dead while Nigerian authorities claim there were no fatalities but that 25 people were wounded. [44]

Disbandment

On 4 October 2020, Muhammed Adamu, inspector general of police (IGP), announced that the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other tactical squads must stop such operations[ clarification needed ], including traffic checks, "with immediate effect". [45] On 11 October 2020, Adamu dismantled SARS. [46]

The IGP said that a new unit, called Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), would replace SARS. [47] Within hours of the announcement, some Nigerians took to Twitter with the hashtag #EndSWAT, [48] and demonstrations continued amid fears that police reform would not materialize. [49] [50] Protestors' fears were not assuaged by promises of adequate training for SWAT members. [50] [51]

Aftermath

On 15 October 2020, the National Executive Council (NEC), headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, met with the governors of Nigeria's thirty-six states and representatives from Nigeria's Human Rights Commission and State Security to address the problems caused by SARS. After the meeting, the NEC directed the governors and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to set up "judicial panels of inquiry" to investigate the various allegations of human rights violations carried out by SARS operatives. [52] The panels, chaired by retired state judges with members from civil society groups, the Human Rights Commission, Citizens Mediation Centre, and two youth representatives, were directed to receive and investigate all complaints of police brutality including extra-judicial killings by police with the intention to bring justice for such victims and their families. [53] The state governors were also charged with establishing proper oversight over future police activity. [54] Most states moved quickly to set up the SARS investigating panels. [55] However, on 9 November 2020, the police filed a lawsuit claiming that the panels were unconstitutional and illegal, and that state governors had no constitutionally granted powers to oversee the police. [53] [56] On 3 December 2020, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered an investigation into the origins of the police lawsuit. [56] [57] Without explanation, the police withdrew their lawsuit, [53] though there is still a great deal of uncertainty about whether the panels will be truly independent and will be able to fulfill their charge. [58] [59] In November and December 2020, #ENDSARS protestors continued to be harassed by police. [51] [58] [60]

On 22 October 2020, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed in a publicly-aired address that SARS had been dismantled and also accused some members of SARS of committing "acts of excessive force" when the unit was operational. [61] Plans were then put in place to prosecute some former SARS members for extortion, rape, and murder. [62]

Related Research Articles

Human rights in Greece are observed by various organizations. The country is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The Greek constitution also guarantees fundamental human rights to all Greek citizens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Nigeria</span>

Human rights in Nigeria are protected under the current constitution of 1999. While Nigeria has made major improvements in human rights under this constitution, the American Human Rights Report of 2012 notes several areas where more improvement is needed, which includes: abuses by Boko Haram, killings by government forces, lack of social equality and issues with freedom of speech. The Human Rights Watch's 2015 World Report states that intensified violence by Boko Haram, restrictions of LGBT rights and government corruption continue to undermine the status of human rights in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigeria Police Force</span> Nigerian government agency

The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria. It was designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria, with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country. As at 2021, it had a staff strength of about 371,800. There are currently plans to increase the force to 650,000, adding 280,000 new recruits to the existing 370,000. The Nigeria Police Force is a very large organisation consisting of 36 State commands and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) grouped into 17 zones and 8 administrative organs. As at July 2024, the NPF is headed by IGP Kayode Egbetokun. In 2020, it underwent major overhauls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rilwan Akiolu</span> Oba of Lagos

Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu is the incumbent Oba of Lagos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">End SARS</span> Decentralized social movement against police brutality in Nigeria (2020)

End SARS, widely written as #EndSARS, was a decentralised social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria that mainly occurred in 2020. The movement's slogan called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police known for its long record of abuse against Nigerian citizens. The protests originated from a Twitter campaign in 2017, using the hashtag #EndSARS to demand the unit's disbandment by the Nigerian government. The movement experienced a resurgence in October 2020 following further revelations of the unit's abuses, leading to mass demonstrations across major cities in Nigeria, and widespread outrage on social media platforms. The hashtag #EndSARS accumulated over 28 million tweets on Twitter alone. Solidarity protests and demonstrations by Nigerians in the diaspora and sympathizers occurred in many major cities around the world. Notably, the movement was predominantly led by young Nigerians and expanded to include demands for good governance and accountability, amidst unprecedented hardship in the country.

Segun Awosanya, known as Segalink, is a Nigerian realtor, human rights activist, and business consultant.

Mohammed Abubakar Adamu is a Nigerian retired police officer who is formerly the 20th Nigerian inspector-general of police. He was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 15 January 2019 replacing Ibrahim Kpotun Idris (rtd) of Niger State. Mohammed Adamu hails from Lafia, in Nasarawa State. He was replaced on 6 April 2021 with Usman Alkali Baba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citizens' Gavel</span> Lagos-based human rights organization

Citizens' Gavel is a civic tech organization aimed at improving the pace of justice delivery through the use of technology. It was established in 2017 as Open Justice by Nelson Olanipekun, from an incubation programme of Civic Hive; the incubation and media arm of BudgIT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson Olanipekun</span> Nigerian human rights lawyer

Nelson Olanipekun is a Nigerian human rights lawyer, entrepreneur, and founder of Citizens' Gavel. He graduated from Ekiti State University and the University of Ibadan. He started Citizens' Gavel in 2017, which aims to improve the pace of justice delivery through the use of technology. He is notable for being a co-strategist and legal counsel for the End SARS campaign alongside Segun Awosanya in 2017.

Abba Alhaji Kyari is a former Nigerian police officer who was a Deputy Commissioner of Police currently on suspension and relieved from all police duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his alleged connection with Gucci King, popular alleged fraudster Ramon Abbas "Hushpuppi". He was a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Prior to his appointment as IGP-IRT, he served at Lagos State Police Command as a unit Commander in one of the PMF bases located in Lagos before he was promoted and transferred to serve as the Officer-In-Charge of the dis-banded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

<i>Peoples Gazette</i> Nigerian online English newspaper

Peoples Gazette is a Nigerian online newspaper based in Abuja. It launched in 2020. The online medium is notable for its investigative journalism, among other fields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Lekki shooting</span> Massacre in Nigeria

On the night of 20 October 2020, at about 6:50 p.m., members of the Nigerian Army opened fire on unarmed End SARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State, Nigeria. Amnesty International stated that at least 12 protesters were killed during the shooting. A day after the incident, on 21 October, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu, denied reports of any loss of lives, but later admitted in an interview with a CNN journalist that "only two persons were killed".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feminist Coalition</span> Nigerian feminist group

The Feminist Coalition is a group of young Nigerian feminists who work to promote equality for women in Nigerian society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr Macaroni</span> Nigerian comedian (born 1993)

Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo, known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, content creator and citizen activist. A trained thespian, his popularity grew from his comic skits on social media, where he plays the role of a political figure cum sugar daddy called "Daddy Wa" or a sadistic lecturer called "Professor Hard Life". Debo popularized catchphrases like "Ooin", "Freaky freaky" and "You are doing well".

Matthew Nwozaku Chukwudi Blaise is a Nigerian queer rights activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traidmarc</span> Musical artist

McDonald Emiantor, best known by his stage name Traidmarc, is a Nigerian-Australian rapper, singer, songwriter, television producer, and business executive. He is the founder of Annex Media.

The 2021 EndSARS memorial protest Was a protest carried out by Nigerians and End SARS activist to mark the one year anniversary of the Lekki toll gate shooting which took place on 20 October, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunji Disu</span> Nigerian Police Officer (born 1966)

Olatunji Disu is the present Commissioner of Police in Rivers State,a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police Force in Nigeria, the position previously held by Abba Kyari. He was the Principal Staff Officer to the Acting Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. He's a graduate of English Education from Lagos State University (LASU) and a holder of two master's degrees, one in Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, the other in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University.

Parry Benjamin Osemwegie Osayande is a retired Deputy Inspector General of police. He was the commissioner of police of the former Bendel state during the Anini saga which terrorised Nigeria in the 1980s. Under his watch as commissioner of police in the now defunct Bendel state, Lawrence Anini, the infamous armed robber was captured and executed. In 1990, Parry Osayande directed the operations which suppressed the Bauchi religious inspired riots in which several people died. In 1992, Osayande led the Federal Government delegation to Namibia under the auspices of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group to monitor the behaviour, conduct and activities of the South West African Police and assist Namibian citizens to hold free and fair elections. Osayande retired as Deputy Inspector General of police in 1992. He was later appointed as Chairman of the Police Service Commission in 2010 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, a position he held until 2014. Osayande served in several committees set up by the Nigerian Federal Government to reform the Police force.

Civil Liberties Organization is a Nigerian non-governmental organization focused on human rights and pro-democracy advocacy.

References

  1. ↑ "How I founded SARS in the Police – RTD CP Midenda". Vanguard News. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  2. ↑ Olatunji, Jacob (5 October 2020). "For fourth time in 4 years, IGPs ban SARS". Nigerian Tribune . Ibadan, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020.
  3. 1 2 Malumfashi, Sada (22 October 2020). "Nigeria's SARS: A brief history of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad". Al Jazeera . Archived from the original on 22 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "The Killing Force: Nigeria Police Turn Their Guns on Defenceless Citizens". P.M. News. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  5. ↑ Salami, Lawal (19 December 2019). "Hands in the hair: Nigerian police and men with dreadlocks". Global Comment. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  6. ↑ United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices 1993 - Nigeria, 30 January 1994 Refworld - UNHCR, accessed 18 October 2020
  7. 1 2 3 Sunday, Odita (12 October 2020). "How the mantra 'SARS' came about". The Guardian. Nigeria. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Ndlovu, Nqobani (26 October 2020). "Nigeria's dirty cops". The Article. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Olagunju, Doyin (4 October 2020). "SARS Was Created When The Police Ran Away". Zikoko. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  10. ↑ "Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department". Nigeria Police Force. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ↑ Usman, Evelyn (10 October 2020). "SARS: What Nigerians want, what govt is doing". Daily Vanguard (Vanguard News). Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020.
  12. ↑ Nigeria Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1997 Archived 23 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor accessed 18 October 2020
  13. ↑ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 - Nigeria (Page 2) Archived 23 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, accessed 18 October 2020
  14. ↑ "#EndSARS: What exactly is the status of SARS?". Pulse Nigeria. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  15. ↑ "Amnesty Slams Nigeria For Rights Abuse". P.M. News. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  16. ↑ Nzomiwu, Emmanuel (19 May 2010). "Nigeria: Ovoko Killing - Court Orders IG to Produce Police Officer". allAfrica.com . Lagos, Nigeria. Daily Independent.[ dead link ]
  17. ↑ "How Police Personnel Raked In 9.35Billion Naira From Roadblocks In The Southeast-Nigeria In 18 Months". Sahara Reporters. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  18. ↑ "Police foil attempt to bomb Force Headquarters". Vanguard News. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  19. ↑ "Police IG splits anti-robbery squad, SARS, to check abuses". Premium Times . Nigeria. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  20. ↑ "Meet SARS, the Police Unit with license to kill". Pulse Nigeria. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  21. ↑ Nigeria: ‘You have signed your death warrant’ : Torture and other ill treatment in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad Amnesty International
  22. ↑ "Police Commiserates With Family Of Woman Killed By Operative". Sahara Reporters. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  23. ↑ "UPDATE: Mob kills policeman, injures two". Punch Newspapers. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  24. ↑ "Ijegun mob beats policeman to death for killing tailor". P.M. News. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  25. 1 2 Police arrest officers who killed suspected Lagos phone thieves 21 August 2019 punchng.com, accessed 18 October 2020
  26. ↑ "How SARS kidnapped, assaulted, robbed me —Rapper, Ikechukwu". Punch Newspapers. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  27. ↑ "Ikechukwu narrates how he was kidnapped by men of SARS [Video]". Pulse Nigeria. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  28. ↑ "How I founded SARS in the Police – RTD CP Midenda". Vanguard News. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  29. ↑ Salaudeen, Aisha (15 December 2017). "Nigerians want police's SARS force scrapped". Aljazeera. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  30. ↑ "Nigeria anger at police brutality video". BBC News. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  31. ↑ Kazeem, Yomi (4 December 2017). "Young Nigerians are calling for a brutal special police unit to be scrapped". Quartz Africa. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  32. ↑ Bella, Naija (11 December 2017). "#EndSARS: Nigerians take to the Streets in Protest". Bellanaija. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  33. ↑ Erunke, Joseph (3 December 2017). "#EndSARS: We won't scrap SARS, Police reply anti-SARS campaigners". Vanguard Newspaper. Nigeria. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  34. ↑ Busari, Kemi (5 December 2017). "Senator backs calls for Police SARS scrapping". Nigeria: Premium Times. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  35. ↑ "Nigeria: SARS overhaul is a positive step but reforms must be robust". www.amnesty.org. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  36. ↑ "After Osinbajo's Order, Police Rename SARS 'Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad' (FSARS)". Sahara Reporters. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  37. ↑ "Nigeria's acting president orders overhaul of controversial police unit". Reuters. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  38. ↑ "Meet SARS, the Police Unit with license to kill". Pulse Nigeria. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  39. ↑ "IGP Adamu orders immediate disbandment of SARS". Pulse Nigeria. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  40. ↑ Opejobi, Seun (21 January 2019). "IGP Adamu disbands F-SARS". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  41. ↑ "Fatal police shooting video of Nigerian man reignites call to #EndSARS". guardian.ng. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  42. ↑ Akinkugbe, Precious (18 October 2020). "#EndSARS: Nigerian Army To Unleash Operation Crocodile Smile As Anonymous Targets Its Website". Techuncode News (formerly AskIfa). Archived from the original on 15 December 2020.
  43. ↑ "#ENDSARS: Operation Crocodile Smile VI begins across Nigeria as protest continues". NaijaPledge. 20 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  44. ↑ Jones, Mayen; et al. (21 October 2020). "End Sars protests: People 'shot dead' in Lagos, Nigeria". BBC News.
  45. ↑ "Nigeria special police unit reined in after abuse allegations". Al Jazeera. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  46. ↑ Akinwotu, Emmanuel (11 October 2020). "Nigeria to disband Sars police unit accused of killings and brutality". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  47. ↑ IGP announces new squad “SWAT” to replace SARS 13 October 2020 The Guardian, accessed 18 October 2020
  48. ↑ "End Swat: Nigerians reject police unit replacing hated Sars". BBC. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  49. ↑ "More Nigerian protests against police brutality as reforms fail to convince". CNN. Reuters. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  50. 1 2 "#EndSARS protests expose Nigeria's fault lines". Bonn, Germany: DW Akademie. 20 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020.
  51. 1 2 Gladstone, Rick; Specia, Megan (14 November 2020). "Nigeria's Police Brutality Crisis: What's Happening Now". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 22 October 2020.
  52. ↑ Nwachukwu, John Owen (27 October 2020). "End SARS: Details of Osinbajo's emergency meeting with Governors, IGP, CBN, military, others". The Daily Post . Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  53. 1 2 3 "Police withdraws suit to stop #EndSARS investigating panels". The Guardian. Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.
  54. ↑ "#EndSARS: Governors take charge, to set up probe panels, supervise police tactical units". Premium Times. Nigeria. 15 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020.
  55. ↑ "#EndSARS: List of States with Judicial Panels of inquiry". Sahel Standard Magazine. 25 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020.
  56. 1 2 "Presidency Expresses Shock as Police Move to Stop Judicial Inquiries". This Day (Thisday Newspapers Ltd.). Nigeria. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.
  57. ↑ "#EndSARS: IGP orders investigations into alleged suit challenging State's Judicial Panel of Inquiry and queries Force legal officer". The Government & Business Journal. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  58. 1 2 Olaoluwa, Azeezat (1 December 2020). "End Sars protests: The Nigerian women leading the fight for change". BBC News.
  59. ↑ Brisibe, Perez (11 November 2020). "#EndSARS: Uncertainty trails Delta judiciary panel as members threatens boycott". Vanguard News Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020.
  60. ↑ George, Libby; Carsten, Paul (3 December 2020). "Threats, detentions and frozen assets: Nigeria's protesters depict pattern of intimidation" (revised ed.). Saltwire Network. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.
  61. ↑ "Full text of President Muhammadu Buhari's speech". Vanguard News Nigeria. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.
  62. ↑ Parkinson, Joe; Hinshaw, Drew; Akingbule, Gbenga (23 October 2020). "Young Nigerians Came to Protest Police Brutality. Then the Shooting Started" . The Wall Street Journal.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.