By Reporter Agregor Ebiboere Immaculate

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Six years after the #EndSARS protests brought police brutality and misconduct to the forefront of national discourse, allegations of unlawful arrests, torture, extortion and excessive use of force continue to raise serious concerns about policing and human rights protection in Nigeria.

Despite the introduction of new legislation, revised police regulations and training initiatives, legal practitioners have expressed concern that the reforms have yet to translate into the fundamental changes Nigerians demanded during the October 2020 protests.

The #EndSARS demonstrations, which initially called for an end to abuses associated with the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), later evolved into a broader movement demanding police accountability, respect for fundamental human rights and improved governance.

Following the protests, the Federal Government disbanded SARS and introduced measures aimed at reforming the Nigeria Police Force.

One of the major steps was the enactment of the Police Act 2020, which replaced the 1943 legislation and established accountability, transparency, professionalism, respect for human rights and community partnership as key principles of policing.

The Act also provides for Police Complaints Response Units to receive and address complaints of misconduct, including allegations involving deaths, serious injuries and other grave human rights violations.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) also retains responsibility for disciplinary matters involving police personnel and other constitutional oversight functions.

However, concerns over inadequate funding, weak accountability and poor implementation have continued to undermine the effectiveness of these reforms.

The Nigeria Police Force has announced a new training curriculum designed to improve officers’ professional competence, strengthen practical policing skills and prepare personnel to tackle emerging crimes involving technology and artificial intelligence.

Similarly, new Nigeria Police Regulations have been introduced to strengthen disciplinary procedures, improve recruitment and career development, enhance oversight mechanisms and reinforce human rights standards.

Despite these measures, critics argue that the central challenge remains the gap between policies on paper and their implementation in police operations.

ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE RAISE FRESH CONCERNS

Recent allegations of police misconduct have further intensified calls for accountability.

Amnesty International alleged that officers attached to the Tiger Base anti-kidnapping unit of the Imo State Police Command were involved in extrajudicial killings, torture, ill-treatment of detainees and extortion.

The organisation said its investigations uncovered allegations that some detainees were removed from their cells and killed, while others were allegedly tortured to obtain confessional statements.

The allegations have renewed concerns about the protection of suspects in police custody and the need for independent investigations into reported human rights violations.

Similar concerns emerged during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, when Amnesty International alleged that security operatives used excessive force, including live ammunition and tear gas, against demonstrators.

The organisation reported that at least 24 people were killed during protests across several states, although the police and other authorities disputed aspects of the allegations.

The incidents have continued to fuel public debate over the use of force during demonstrations and the effectiveness of measures introduced to prevent a recurrence of abuses associated with the #EndSARS era.

LAWYER: UNLAWFUL ARRESTS, TORTURE AND EXTORTION REMAIN CONCERNS

The Convener of the Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria (CJNN), Nathaniel Ngwu, has warned that unlawful arrests, torture, extortion and excessive use of force remain major concerns in police operations six years after the #EndSARS protests.

Ngwu argued that the failure to integrate reforms into the daily operations of the police, alongside corruption, inadequate funding, poor training and weak accountability, had continued to frustrate efforts to improve policing in the country.

He maintained that meaningful reform must begin within the institution, with officers demonstrating a commitment to respecting the law and protecting citizens’ rights.

According to him, some police stations lack basic operational resources, including vehicles and writing materials, creating situations in which members of the public are allegedly asked to provide money to facilitate investigations and arrests.

He warned that such practices could undermine the independence of police investigations and create opportunities for extortion.

Ngwu also expressed concern over allegations that confessional statements are sometimes obtained through intimidation, noting that court proceedings to determine whether statements were made voluntarily highlight the importance of addressing alleged coercion during investigations.

The lawyer called for compulsory and regular human rights training for officers who interact directly with members of the public, particularly investigators and personnel responsible for obtaining statements.

He further advocated stronger independent oversight mechanisms to monitor police conduct, enforce court judgments and ensure that officers found responsible for misconduct face appropriate sanctions.

Ngwu stressed that existing laws prohibiting torture must be effectively implemented if the country is to achieve meaningful progress in police reform.

OK EKE CALLS FOR SEPARATION OF ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND JUSTICE MINISTER’S OFFICES

The Managing Partner of Chris Okeke & Co., Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chris Okeke, has called for the separation of the offices of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice as part of broader efforts to strengthen access to justice and address police brutality.

Okeke argued that the concentration of responsibilities in the two offices could undermine the effective administration of justice and the protection of citizens’ rights.

He identified poverty, limited awareness of legal rights, gaps in the law and poor enforcement of existing provisions as major obstacles confronting victims of police misconduct.

The senior lawyer also highlighted provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act requiring magistrates to visit police divisions within their jurisdictions at specified intervals to monitor detention practices and ensure that police powers are exercised appropriately.

However, he raised concerns over reported instances of inadequate cooperation with magistrates, stressing the need for stronger enforcement of existing safeguards.

Okeke also called for reforms to police recruitment and the process of appointing the Inspector-General of Police, emphasising the importance of character, temperament, background, discipline and professional training in selecting officers.

He maintained that effective accountability mechanisms were necessary to ensure that police personnel who violate the law are held responsible for their actions.

NWOBI ADVOCATES SERVICE-ORIENTED POLICING AND FASTER JUSTICE DELIVERY

Also speaking on the need for comprehensive reform, the Principal Partner at Tower of David Solicitors & Advocates, Chuks Nwobi, has urged the Nigeria Police Force to abandon what he described as a colonial-era policing mentality and embrace a culture centred on service, professionalism and respect for human rights.

Nwobi argued that policing in a democratic society should prioritise the protection of citizens rather than coercion, intimidation or the suppression of lawful activities.

He identified delays in the administration of justice as another major challenge, noting that congested courts and prolonged proceedings often discourage victims of human rights violations from seeking legal remedies.

The lawyer proposed that serious human rights cases, particularly those involving unlawful detention, torture and police brutality, should receive accelerated judicial attention, suggesting a target of three to six months for their determination, subject to constitutional requirements and fair-hearing guarantees.

He also called for measures to reduce unnecessary adjournments and review the workload of appellate courts, including the Supreme Court.

On accountability, Nwobi maintained that officers accused of misconduct must be properly investigated and sanctioned where the allegations are substantiated.

He stressed that laws prohibiting unlawful arrests, torture, extortion and arbitrary detention would have little impact without effective enforcement and meaningful consequences for proven violations.

The lawyer further called for sustained public education on fundamental human rights and improvements in police recruitment procedures to ensure that officers possess the integrity, sound judgment and psychological suitability required for law enforcement.

CALL FOR ACTION BEYOND LEGISLATION

As Nigeria reflects on the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, the continuing allegations of police misconduct have renewed calls for the authorities to move beyond policy declarations and ensure that reforms produce measurable changes in police operations.

The concerns raised by legal practitioners centre on the need for adequate funding, professional training, independent oversight, transparent investigations and effective punishment for proven misconduct.

The reform debate also highlights the importance of ensuring that citizens can report abuses without fear of intimidation and access justice without facing unnecessary financial or institutional barriers.

While the introduction of new laws and regulations represents an important step, the ultimate test of police reform remains the extent to which officers respect the rights of Nigerians in their everyday interactions.

For many advocates, the demand that emerged from the #EndSARS protests remains clear: a police institution that protects the people, respects the law and remains accountable to the citizens it is established to serve.

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