From Premium Times Nigeria · Ndidiamaka Ede · · 1m 50s
Six years after #EndSARS, police impunity persists
RULAAC reports police misconduct continues six years after #EndSARS protests.
In brief
RULAAC reports police misconduct continues six years after #EndSARS protests. RULAAC says Nigerian police still commit torture, unlawful detention and extrajudicial killings six years after #EndSARS protests. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
RULAAC reports police misconduct
RULAAC says Nigerian police continue torture, unlawful detention, extortion, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances six years after #EndSARS protests.
“RULAAC cited continuing allegations of torture, unlawful detention, extortion, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances”
RULAAC executive director statement
RULAAC's executive director Okechukwu Nwanguma says police reforms failed to change practices that triggered #EndSARS protests.
“The central question six years after #EndSARS is therefore not whether reforms were announced, but whether policing has become more lawful, professional, humane and accountable”
RULAAC's role in #EndSARS
RULAAC documented police abuses before, during and after #EndSARS protests.
“RULAAC played critical roles before, during and after the october 2020 #EndSARS protest”
Police reform failures
RULAAC says police reform panels have weak implementation of recommendations for accountability.
“The implementation of planned reform remains still weak”
Police misconduct practices
Police arrests before investigations, civil disputes, prolonged detention and denial of legal access continue.
“Among the practices it identified were arrests before investigations, police involvement in civil disputes and debt recovery, prolonged detention without lawful justification, denial of access to lawyers and relatives, coercive interrogation and demands for unlawful payments as conditions for bail or release”
Ngozichukwu case
Ngozichukwu was tortured and starved after contributing to medical treatment for #EndSARS injured.
“Ngozichukwu was subjected to further torture after her transfer to abuja, suffering fractured wrists and deep cuts”
Coroner's findings
Coroner found police misconduct in Japheth Njoku's death at Tiger Base in May 2025.
“32-year-old japheth njoku died in police custody at tiger base, the imo state police command's anti-kidnapping unit in owerri, in may 2025”
RULAAC demands
RULAAC calls for police reform implementation, judicial panel reports and independent investigations.
“RULAAC called on president bola tinubu, the inspector-general of police, the police service commission, the national assembly, the national human rights commission, state governments and relevant prosecutorial authorities to demonstrate measurable progress on police reform”
Survivors' ongoing struggles
Survivors still seek justice six years after #EndSARS protests.
“Survivors should not have to become campaigners before the state recognises and protects their rights”
Police reform challenges
Police reform faces institutional resistance and weak enforcement of legal protections.
“The police act 2020, the anti-torture act 2017, the administration of criminal justice act 2015 and corresponding state laws provided safeguards against arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture and other abuses”
Lekki Toll Gate incident
Lekki Toll Gate protest on 20 October 2020 remains a symbol of police-citizen distrust.
“The events at the lekki toll gate on 20 october 2020 remained a defining symbol of the breakdown of trust between citizens and the state”
RULAAC's call for accountability
RULAAC demands police compliance with court judgments and independent investigations.
“A police institution constitutionally charged with enforcing the law cannot place itself above the law”
Police welfare concerns
RULAAC says police need better welfare but not at the cost of human rights.
“Police officers deserve dignity, fair treatment and decent working conditions. Citizens deserve safety, respect and protection from abuse”
Nigeria's reform obligations
Nigeria owes victims truth, justice and guarantees of non-recurrence.
“Nigeria owes victims and their families more than remembrance. It owes them truth, justice, effective remedies and guarantees of non-recurrence”
RULAAC's ongoing work
RULAAC continues to monitor police accountability and demand reforms.
“RULAAC is committed to policing accountability. It focuses on legal defence, policy criticism, and documentation of human rights violations”
What to remember
RULAAC says Nigerian police still commit torture, unlawful detention and extrajudicial killings six years after #EndSARS protests.
