The Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre has emphasized that the #EndSARS mass protest in 2020 occurred because the government, particularly the leadership of the police, did not adequately address the widespread complaints of police violence.
The Executive Director of the group, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated that three years after the #EndSARS protest, the government and security service leadership have not shown sufficient commitment to addressing the root causes of the protest or preventing its recurrence.
Nwanguma highlighted that the government had ignored warnings about the potential for a rebellion against human rights violations, especially by certain units of the Nigeria Police Force.
He also noted that some parts of the country still suffer from the aftermath of the #EndSARS, with police forces unable to respond to crimes in some communities and instead committing human rights violations against citizens.
Nwanguma urged the government and police leadership to uphold human rights and the rule of law, emphasizing that respecting these principles is essential for preventing future protests or rebellions against oppression and injustice.
He also encouraged the youth to continue participating in politics and decision-making processes to shape the direction of the country.