From Peaceful Protest to Bloodbath: An Interrogation of the Link between the #EndSARS Protest and Policing Strategies in Nigeria
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Published:
Dec 19, 2023
Keywords:
#EndSARS, Protest, Policing, Nigeria, #SDG10, #SDG16
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Abstract
The #EndSARS protest by the Nigerian youths was against police brutality. It started peacefully but ended in violence and bloodbath. This study investigates the link between the #EndSARS protest and policing strategies in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data from 194 randomly selected respondents from a population of Police officers. Secondary data was sourced from library materials such as textbooks, journals, newspapers and websites. SPSS was used to analyse the primary data collected for the study. Findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the #EndSARS protest and policing strategies in Nigeria. The study therefore suggests people friendly policing strategies that would promote effective civil-police relationship and collaboration in the country.
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How to Cite
Irene, Oseremen Felix. 2023. “From Peaceful Protest to Bloodbath: An Interrogation of the Link Between the #EndSARS Protest and Policing Strategies in Nigeria”. ABUAD Journal of Social and Management Sciences 4 (2), 298-317. https://doi.org/10.53982/ajsms.2023.0402.08-j.
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References
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Otu, S. E. (2012). The Role of Town Unions and Community Development Associations in Ensuring Democratisation, Accountable and Good Governance in the Southeastern States of Nigeria. Ebonyi State University Journal of Social Science, 2(1), 14-30.
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Tankebe, J. (2009). Self-Help, Policing, and Procedural Justice: Ghanaian Vigilantism and the Rule of Law. Law & Society Review, 43, 245-269.
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Aborisade, R. A. & Fayemi, J. A. (2015). Police Corruption in Nigeria: A perspective on its Nature and Control. Nigerian Journal of Social Studies, 18(2), 245-262.
Abubakar, D. S., Othman, Z. B. & Mustaffa, J. B. (2017). Community Policing Participation Intention and the Indirect Effect of Attitudes towards the Police: A Proposed Model. International Journal of Management Research and Review, 7(3), 225-236.
Adebayo P. F. & Ojo E. O. (2009). The Challenges of Effective Policing as Measure of Controlling the Phenomenon of Police Corruption in Nigeria Today. International NGO Journal, 4(3), 070-075.
Adepegba A. (2020). Policemen Protest Delayed Salaries, Say We Borrow to Eat. https://punchng.com/policemen-protest-delayed-salaries-say-we-borrow-to-eat/ (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
Akwagyiram, A. (2019). Nigeria's Election: Young Voters, Old Candidates. Reuter. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-election-preview-idUSKCN1Q21CQ (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
Ahmadu, I. (2015). Police Corruption and the State: Prevalence and Consequences. Global Journal of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(3), 19-29.
Akinlabi, O. M. (2017). Do the Police Really Protect and Serve the Public? Police Deviance and Public Cynicism towards the Law in Nigeria. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 17(2), 158-174.
Alemika, E. O. (2010). History, Context and Crises of the Police in Nigeria. Repositioning the Nigeria Police to Meet the Challenges of Policing a Democratic Society in the Twenty-First Century and Beyond. Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria: Unpublished Presentation at the Biennial Retreat of the Nigeria Police Service Commission.
Alemika, E. O. (2013). Criminal Victimization, Policing and Governance in Nigeria. CLEEN Foundation Monograph, 18.
Baker, B. (2010). Security in Post-Conflict Africa: The Role of Non-state Policing. Boca Raton: FL, CRC Press.
Bello, A. A. & Anigbogu, K. C. (2018). Perceived Institutionalization of Corruption in the Nigeria Police: A study of Anambra State Police Command. Practicum Psychologia, 8(1), 127-146.
Bradford, B. (2012). Policing and Social Identity: Procedural Justice, Inclusion, and Cooperation between Police and Public. Oxford Legal Studies Research Paper No. 06/2012.
Concise, 5 October 2020. Police deny killing young man in delta state. Concise. https://concise.ng/2020/10/05/police-deny-killing-young-man-in-delta-state/concise.ng/2020/10/05/police-deny-killing-young-man-in-delta-state/ (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. (2008). Business Research Methods (10th ed.). Boston: Mcgraw.Hill International Edition.
Dami, C. D. (2021). The #EndSARS Protests, Corruption and Insecurity Debates in Nigeria. Ikenga Journal of African studies, 22(2), 163-178. https://doi.org/10.53836/ijia/2021/22/2/009
Edet, A. (2017). Crime Control and Policing the Nation States: The Nigerian Police in Focus. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Reviews, 7(2), 97- 102.
Frimpong, O.B. & Commodore, R. (2021). #EndSARS Youth Protests in Nigeria: Lessons and Opportunities for Regional Stability. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/endsars-youth-protests, and https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/uploads/documents/SVNP-2021-Joint-Paper-Frimpong-Commodore-EndSARS_0.pdf (Accessed: November 18, 2023).
Hills, A. (2008). The Dialectics of Police Reform in Nigeria. Journal of Modern African Studies, 46(1), 215-234.
Human Rights Watch (2010). Corruption and Human Rights Abuses by the Nigeria Police Force: Everyone is in on the Game. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2010/08/17/everyones-game/corruption-and-human-rights-abuses-nigeria-police-force (Accessed: February 25, 2023).
Igba, S. (2023). Three Years After the #EndSARS Protests: Progress and Prospects. The Guardian. https://guardian.ng/opinion/three-years-after-endsars-protests-progress-and-prospects/amp/ (Accessed: November 18, 2023).
Ihonvbere, J.O. (2001). The State and Human Rights in Africa. In O.H. Iheduru (ed.), Contending Issues in African Development: Advances, Challenges and the Future (101–119). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Laketu, A. (2023). Lagos Authorities to Hold Mass Burial for 103 Unclaimed Victims of the #EndSARS Movement in Nigeria. Okayafrica. https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/nigeria-holds-mass-burial-for-ends-sars-victims- 2662331737 (Accessed: November, 2023).
Micah, D. J. (2017). Public Perception of Police Activities in Okada, Edo State, Nigeria. Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences (CJBSS), 8(1), 29-42.
Momoh, A. I. (2015). How we Contribute to Corruption in Nigeria. The Guardian. https://guardian.ng/features/youthspeak/how-we-contribute-tocorruption-in-nigeria/ (Accessed: October 10, 2022).
Nte, N. D. (2011). Police Corruption and the National Security Challenge in Nigeria: A study of Rivers State Police Command. International Journal of Human Sciences, 8(1), 556-563.
Nwabuoku, M. O. I, Esavwede, J. P. & Mrabure, K .O. (2023). Human Rights Violations in #EndSARS Protests in Nigeria. Youth Versus the State. BiLD Law Journal, 7(4S), 639-650.
Nwankwor, C. & Nkereuwem E. (2020). How Women Helped Rally Mass Protests against Nigeria’s Police Corruption to Many People ignore African Women’s Political Agency. Washington Post, November 4 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/04/how-women-helped-rally-mass-protests-against-nigerias-police-corruption/ (Accessed: March 2, 2023).
Oluwaniyi, O.O. (2011). Police and the Institution of Corruption in Nigeria. Policing and Society, 21(1), 67-83
Onyango, G. (2018). Police Corruption: A Phenomenological Study on the Transactional Relationship between Police and Motorists at Police Stops in Kenya. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326208475 (Accessed: January 4, 2023).
Onyeozili, E. C. (2005). Obstacles to Effective Policing in Nigeria. African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies, 1, 32-54.
Otu, S. E. (2012). The Role of Town Unions and Community Development Associations in Ensuring Democratisation, Accountable and Good Governance in the Southeastern States of Nigeria. Ebonyi State University Journal of Social Science, 2(1), 14-30.
Oyero, K. (2020). #EndSARS protesters launch online radio, Soro Soke. Punch, October 18. https://punchng.com/endsars-protesters-launch-online-radio-soro-soke/ (Accessed March 3, 2023).
Petrovic, P., Dordevic, S. & Savkovic, M. (2013). Citizens of Serbia on Police Corruption. http://www.bezbednost.org/upload/document/citizensofserbianonpolicecorruption.pdf (Accessed: June 10, 2021).
Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research Methods for Business Students (5th Edition). London: Pearson Education.
Smith, B.C. (2007). Good Governance and Development. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Tankebe, J. (2009). Self-Help, Policing, and Procedural Justice: Ghanaian Vigilantism and the Rule of Law. Law & Society Review, 43, 245-269.
Tribune (5 October 2020). For Fourth Time in 4 Years, IGPs Ban SARS. https://tribuneonlineng.com/for-fourth-time-in-4-years-igps-ban-sars/ (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
United Nations. (2018). World Youth Report: Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations.
Usman, E. (2020). How SARS Deviated from Original Concept. Vanguard, October 10. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/how-sars-deviated-from-original-concept/ (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
Uwazuruike, A. (2023). #EndSARS: The Movement against Police Brutality in Nigeria. Harvard Human Rights Journal. https://harvardhrj.com/2020/11/endsars-the-movement-against-police-brutality-in-nigeria/#_ftn1 (Accessed: March 9, 2023).
Vanguard (23 October, 2020). #EndSARS: Northern Governors Sue for Peace, Condemn Violence. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/endsars-northern-governors-sue-for-peace-condemn-violence/ (Accessed March 2, 2023).
Vilakazi, M. C. (2015). The Impact of Police Corruption on Service Delivery in Pretoria Central. A dissertation submitted for the Degree of Magister Technologiae in Policing. University of South Africa.
Yuksel, Y., & Tepe, F. (2013). Citizen Satisfaction with Police and Community Policing. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 9(14), 29-48. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2013.v9n14p%p (Accessed: October 2022).