Nigeria’s #EndSARS Movement – What It Is and Why It Matters in the UK.
Artwork by Amnesty International to illustrate Miracle’s torture. (Photo credit: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/06/nigeria-horrific-reign-of-impunity-by-sars-makes-mockery-of-anti-torture-law/)
March, 2017 - A man is driving home after a day of work, when a group of black-clad men intercept and pull him from the car, wrongfully accusing him of laptop theft. The man is thrown into a cell without food, access to the outside world and a lawyer. After 40 days the innocent man emerges, the sunlight shocking his eyes like a flashbang. The black-clad men’s leader instructs his cronies to tie the man up by his ankles; they obey, before hitting him with machetes, sticks and exhaust pipes to the face, shattering his teeth. Thankfully, the man - ironically named Miracle - was released to tell the story. [1]
May, 2018 - A woman drives down the highway returning home after her University graduation with her two brothers, sister and four-year-old niece in the car. The woman, Philomena, is still dressed in her gown and mortar board when two black-clad men pull over her car. The men haul her two brothers from their car seats and harass them at gunpoint, leading them behind dense bushes. Philomena’s day of celebration becomes one of misery, as the black-clad men interrogate her brothers for cybercrimes, hidden in the bushes. Guns pointed at their heads, while the cries of their toddler niece echo from the open-windowed car. Thankfully it was only an interrogation; they were lucky. [2]
October, 2020 - A boy is driving a Lexus through the town of Ughelli in Nigeria’s southern Delta State. A group of black-clad men rip him from the car, before placing him in the passenger’s side behind the front seat. Soon after, the boy jumps out the door, a shot sounds and he falls lifeless onto the roadside. The black-clad men drive away in the car. His name was Joshua Ambrose. [3]
The black-clad men that feature in each of these extrajudicial kidnappings, interrogations and killings were members of Nigeria’s infamous SARS police group, or the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
What is the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)?
Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian police force. (Photo credit: Pulse.ng)
SARS began nationwide in 1992 as an offshoot unit of the police, designed to investigate and prevent crimes associated with robbery, theft and kidnapping. At first, the scheme was successful and crime levels declined. However, this unit that was established to protect Nigeria’s citizens soon mutated into a corrupt and power-hungry web of undercover operators that demanded bribes from innocent civilians, aimed to stifle free expression and used intimidation to prey on the vulnerable. In so many words, the cops became the robbers. [4] [5]
Thanks to victims coming forward on Twitter in 2017, the general public finally caught on. The first #EndSARS protests began and as a result, the force was reformed with the Anti-Torture Act to counter said crimes. However, in a report from June this year, Amnesty International discovered that there had been at least 82 cases of torture, ill treatment and extrajudicial execution between January 2017 and May 2020. Despite this fact, not one SARS officer has been charged with any wrongdoing. [1]
What Happened in 2020?
On October 3rd, the video of aforementioned Joshua Ambrose’s death spread like wildfire online. [6] Once as a swelling wave, now as a surging tsunami; on October 7th, the #EndSARS movement erupted again with a newfound zealousness for real change.
Demonstrators hold banners in Lagos, Oct, 2020. (Photo credit: Sunday Alamba / Associated Press)
Over the following three weeks, millions of peaceful yet passionate protestors took to the streets around the country. Their demands: equality, a respect for human rights, compensation for families of those killed, and higher salaries for Nigerian police to counteract the lure of corruption. With the majority of protestors being under the age of 30, the nationwide protests represented an unprecedented rebuttal from the young to the draconian and corrupt institutions in power. [7]
However, on Saturday October 20th the Nigerian Army employed a tactic they had not tried before. Some protests had been marred with destruction and looting - something that gave politicians ammunition to react. Unfortunately, that ammunition did not manifest in speeches and policy change, instead it took the form of bullets.
Unarmed peaceful protestors gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State. Hours before, CCTV cameras in the area had been taken away and mobile networks in the area went down. At 6.50pm, the army opened fire. It resulted in the deaths of 12 protestors and many more injuries. Initially, the governor and Army denied the allegations, before eventually admitting to the possession of live rounds and two deaths. [8]
These events and their subsequent denial sparked further demonstrations, before protest organisers had their bank accounts frozen and passports seized, media services were fined for disseminating propaganda, and the government likened the demonstrations to a terrorist movement. [9] Finally, after almost three weeks of protest and a riot that saw a further 12 people die on October 25th, the #EndSARS leaders urged protestors to stay at home and obey the strict curfew to avoid further harm. But the news was already out: celebrities tweeted their support, the Nigerian diaspora protested in cities across the globe and major media outlets covered the events with ruthless transparency.[10]
Social media posts from John Boyega, Anthony Joshua, Rihanna and Beyonce.
What actions have been taken?
On October 11th, only a few days into the protests, President Muhammadu Buhari finally agreed to dismantle the SARS faction and for a judicial panel to investigate their crimes. [11] However, the President, formerly a 1980s military dictator notorious for his strict censorship laws, swiftly announced SARS’ replacement - “Special Weapons and Tactics” - or SWAT. Its purpose; a reincarnation of its predecessor in almost all but name. [11] Even with #EndSWAT trending immediately as the Nigerian diaspora and allies worldwide rallied behind the cause, the unit remains.
A tweet from President Buhari criticising the foreign press, December, 2020.
Since then, Buhari has okayed further peaceful demonstrations, but the government has frozen many protest leaders’ bank accounts to stop them from receiving #EndSARS donations and funding. Many have noticed that police surveillance is also more scrutinous than ever. [13] “You can never tell what is going to trigger another protest,” said movement leader Ariyo-Dare Atoye. However, what halts that protest may be even more concerning. [14]
Even now, on December 10th, a riot is ongoing in Port Harcourt. It was sparked by a policeman shooting a keke (tricycle taxi) driver who refused to offer him a 100 Naira bribe. That’s only 20p. If anything demonstrates that this is still a relevant police problem, it is this. [15]
Why should we care in the UK?
The forceful subjugation of Kenyan civilians by British soldiers during the colonial era. Nigeria became independent in 1960 and Kenya in 1963. (n.d., retrieved from https://face2faceafrica.com/article/post-colonial-mindset-africa)
Whether or not we believe it is our duty to pay for the actions of our past governments, it is important to remember that Nigeria and the UK are intrinsically linked. Firstly, by our 200,000 strong Nigerian community, and secondly, by the unfortunate legacy of colonialism. Many of the exploitative power structures put in place by the British Empire were not replaced, but instead refilled with powerful Nigerians. As a result, colonial tactics like concealing true export values with help from offshore banks heavily influenced the new leaders, who espoused such practices, thus ensuring corrupt activities still percolate through every echelon of society. [16]
Additionally, even after 60 years of Nigerian independence, more than just our neo-colonial influence remains. I reached out to Nduka Orjinmo, a BBC Features writer, who suggested ‘SARS has been receiving funding from the British Government for training and equipment (between 2016 and 2020).’ In October this year, James Duddridge, the UK’s Minister of Africa, initially denied these claims, before later admitting that this is actually the truth. Ultimately, UK taxpayers have funded a police unit accused of extrajudicial torture and murder. [17]
Furthermore, the Western world came together for their own wave of protests this year. In many ways, the End SARS movement is an African iteration of BLM. Chibundu Onuzo, writing for the Guardian, puts it this way;
George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, Elijah McClain, Atatiana Jefferson, Natasha McKenna, Rekia Boyd and Tanisha Anderson. (Illustrator Credit: Birgitte Johnsen, ArtStation)
“the Black Lives Matter movement began because the deaths of innocent African American men and women were ignored, in the same way the deaths of young Nigerians at the hands of SARS have been ignored.” [18]
We declared our support for Black Lives Matter on social media, we were moved by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain, so why was it so easy to shake off news about SARS’ atrocities in October? As Onuzo states, “Black Lives Matter everywhere that black lives are found.” [18]
2020 is already a transformative year; one that hopefully catalyses real and lasting change through the power of protest. The End SARS movement proved the combined power of awareness and dissemination in the media age. The information is out there; we just need to engage. If we thoughtlessly swipe over the news, how can we show genuine solidarity with Nigeria?
The End SARS protestors stood strong with flags aloft and fists clenched above their heads against a government that threatened to kill them. From afar, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the situation. Yet when we choose to use social media as a listening tool, we can at least put ourselves in a position to make a difference, whether that be an informed discussion, a small donation, a signed petition, or supporting our Nigerian friends.
Whatever happens, let’s build upon these foundations in 2021 and beyond. We know the people of Nigeria will.
Useful Links
If you would like to donate to support the movement, we recommend The Reach - Project Protect. This initiative was set up by popular musician Burna Boy to provide financial, medical and legal resources directly to those in need who have been affected by the End SARS protests:
To follow the End SARS movement here are some prominent voices and organisations:
Feyikemi Abudu - @fkabudu
The Feminist Coalition - @feminist_co
Yemisi Adegoke - @briticoyemo
Amnesty International Nigeria - @amnestynigeria
Statement from Burna Boy, October, 2020. From https://www.instagram.com/projectprotectng/
Bibliography:
(all come with a trigger warning)
[1] In Nigeria police continue to torture with impunity. (n.d.). Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/06/nigeria-horrific-reign-of-impunity-by-sars-makes-mockery-of-anti-torture-law/
[2] Malumfashi, S. (2020, October 22). Nigeria’s SARS: A brief history of the special anti-robbery squad. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/22/sars-a-brief-history-of-a-rogue-unit
[3] Nigeria: Photographer behind viral SARS video in Ughelli tells his side of the story. (2020, October 6). allAfrica.com. https://allafrica.com/stories/202010060601.html
[4] Osborne, S. (2020, October 21). What is SARS and why are people protesting against police in Nigeria? The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nigeria-sars-what-is-shooting-lagos-curfew-police-protest-b1201608.html
[5] Why Nigeria is now erupting. (2020, October 26). The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos. https://www.nytimes.com/article/sars-nigeria-police.html
[6] Police raid Ughelli over killing of officer during End-SARS protest. (2020, October 11). The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. https://guardian.ng/news/police-raid-ughelli-over-killing-of-officer-during-end-sars-protest/
[7] Five demands from #EndSARS protesters. (2020, October 12). Vanguard News. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/five-demands-from-endsars-protesters/
[8] Nigeria: Authorities must stop attempts to cover up Lekki toll gate massacre – new investigative timeline. (n.d.). Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/nigeria-authorities-must-stop-attempts-to-cover-up-lekki-toll-gate-massacre-new-investigative-timeline/
[9] Nigeria protests: Police chief deploys 'all resources' amid street violence. (2020, October 25). BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54678345
[10] Timeline: #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. (2020, October 22). Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/22/timeline-on-nigeria-unrest
[11] Nigeria: 5 facts about the new tactical team 'SWAT'. (2020, October 15). allAfrica.com. https://allafrica.com/stories/202010150096.html
[12] Police withdraws suit to stop #EndSARS investigating panels. (2020, December 4). The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. https://guardian.ng/news/police-withdraws-suit-to-stop-endsars-investigating-panels/
[13] Buhari warns against violent protests, lauds army. (2020, December 7). The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. https://guardian.ng/news/buhari-warns-against-violent-protests-lauds-army/
[14] Why Nigeria is now erupting. (2020, October 26). The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos. https://www.nytimes.com/article/sars-nigeria-police.html
[15] Riot as police kill keke driver over ‘N100 bribe’ in Rivers. (2020, December 10). Vanguard. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/riot-as-police-kill-keke-driver-over-n100-bribe-in-rivers/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/riot-as-police-kill-keke-driver-over-n100-bribe-in-rivers/
[16] Nigerian corruption and crime – a fantastically corrupt culture or the result of a particular history? (2016, July 6). Commonwealth Opinion. https://commonwealth-opinion.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2016/nigerian-corruption-and-crime-a-fantastically-corrupt-culture-or-the-result-of-a-particular-history/
[17] Forrest, A. (2020, October 30). UK government admits training Nigeria’s ‘brutal’ SARS police unit. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sars-nigeria-police-protests-uk-government-training-equipment-b1424447.html
[18] Onuzo, C. (2020, October 16). Black Lives Matter everywhere. That's why the world should support the #EndSARS movement | Chibundu Onuzo. the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/16/black-lives-matter-everywhere-support-endsars-nigeria
Geall, L. (2020, October 28). This how you can help the #EndSARS movement from the UK. Stylist. https://www.stylist.co.uk/news/politics/end-sars-nigeria-how-to-help-uk/437276
Faloyin, D. (2020, October 22). Nigeria's president breaks his silence to threaten protesters. VICE - VICE is the definitive guide to enlightening information. https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvx8nm/nigerias-president-breaks-his-silence-to-threaten-protesters
How the end SARS protests have changed Nigeria forever. (2020, October 23). BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54662986
Malumfashi, S. (2020, October 22). Nigeria’s SARS: A brief history of the special anti-robbery squad. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/22/sars-a-brief-history-of-a-rogue-unit
Osborne, S. (2020, October 21). What is SARS and why are people protesting against police in Nigeria? The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nigeria-sars-what-is-shooting-lagos-curfew-police-protest-b1201608.html
End swat: Nigerians reject police unit replacing hated SARS. (2020, October 14). BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54531449
Nigeria cracks down on 'end SARS' protesters, alleging terrorism. (2020, November 13). the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/13/nigeria-cracks-down-on-end-sars-protesters-alleging-terrorism
