Nigerian Govt Warns Against End SARS Protests, Lists Actions That’ll Be Taken Against Violators

One year after the #EndSARS protests rocked Nigeria, the National Economic Council (NEC) published a recommendation on public protests.

Some residents are speculating that new protests against police brutality and corruption may be held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the protests.

However, in a statement signed by Laolu Akande, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s spokeswoman, Nigerians were asked to “explore other lawful alternative ways of engagement.”

“This is because to the current security situation around the country and the likelihood of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to wreak mayhem at such protest events and sites,” Akande added.

As a result, Council urges the organizers to reconsider their plans.”

According to him, the federal and state administrations have made steps to address the problems that prompted the 2020 protests.

These include: the disbandment of SARS; broad police reforms; the establishment of judicial panels of inquiry to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies; panel recommendations that are already in various stages of implementation, such as the establishment of Victims Compensation Funds, from which several victims have received payments of sums awarded to them by the panels; and the prosecution of police officers.

“Each state, in partnership with the Federal Government, will create methods for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the panels,” Akande added.

“As agreed by the NEC, a number of states have already established Victims Compensation Funds, from which numerous victims have already received payments of monies awarded to them by the panels.”

In addition, the NEC has “urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the concerned personnel in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.”

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