Amnesty International Says 10 People Killed in Nigeria’s Ongoing #EndSARS Protests

At least 10 people were reported killed during the early days of Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests, according to Amnesty International, which accused security personnel of using excessive force against demonstrators.

The human rights organisation said police had used force against largely unarmed protesters since demonstrations began against the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

Amnesty said the deaths underscored longstanding concerns about the conduct of Nigerian security forces and called for an urgent review of the use of firearms and other force against protesters.

The organisation also demanded independent and impartial investigations into reported killings and other acts of violence associated with the demonstrations.

The protests began with demands for the disbandment of SARS, a police unit that had faced repeated allegations of extortion, harassment, torture and extrajudicial killings.

Police authorities subsequently announced the dissolution of SARS and unveiled a new Special Weapons and Tactics unit, SWAT, as part of efforts to restructure policing.

Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu said former SARS personnel considered for redeployment would undergo medical and psychological examinations.

Despite the announcement, protesters argued that simply moving former SARS officers into other police units would not amount to meaningful reform.

Among the deaths cited during the protests was that of Jimoh Isiaq in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. His family alleged that he was hit by police gunfire, while their lawyer said evidence had been gathered to support claims that officers were responsible.

President Muhammadu Buhari later expressed regret over the death in Oyo State and ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding it.

Another reported victim was 55-year-old Ikechukwu Ilohamauzo, who died during unrest in Surulere, Lagos. Witnesses alleged that he was struck by a stray bullet fired by police, while police authorities disputed that account and blamed armed individuals in the area.

Buhari acknowledged public concerns over excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings and misconduct by some police officers, saying the dissolution of SARS was only the first step in broader police reform.

He also promised that officers responsible for misconduct would be brought to justice while maintaining that many members of the police force continued to perform their duties professionally.

Protesters, however, said verbal assurances were no longer sufficient and expanded their demands beyond the abolition of SARS to wider reforms of the Nigeria Police Force.

They called for accountability for officers accused of abuses, independent oversight of police reform, improved training and an end to the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.