The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has received reports from 16 states out of the total 29 states regarding the #EndSARS panels.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), these panels were established to investigate instances of human rights violations by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units.
Reports state that the Federal Government established this panel in November 2020, during the tenure of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in response to nationwide protests.
During an event held in Abuja to mark the third anniversary of the #EndSARS protests and the submission of a report by the non-governmental organization Enough is Enough (EIE), Anthony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, revealed this information.
Ojukwu praised EIE for conducting a comprehensive review of the protest and presenting a report. He also recalled that compensation exceeding N530 million was provided to victims or their families.
He stated: “It is a very important step taken by EIE, which is to commemorate the 2020 #EndSARS protest. It is one of the efforts to keep #EndSARS alive. About 29 states set up panels and NHRC automatically was made a member. A panel was also set up in Abuja as an independent investigation body by the commission.”
“Today, EIE has taken a giant step towards compiling this report. The effort gears towards police reforms and I urge the states that have not submitted their reports to do so. Sixteen states have submitted theirs, and when the remaining do the same, the commission will do a comprehensive review and report.”
Furthermore, Chino Obiagwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, remarked, “There were more than 6,000 petitions, primarily from disadvantaged individuals, seeking justice. However, many of them later retracted or withdrew their petitions due to concerns about potential retaliation from the police.
“There were no lessons from the #EndSARS protest. The Nigerian Police have been emboldened, because they were not called to order. It made citizens lose the essence of the protest. None of the police indicted was prosecuted.”
He said inquiries should be held on human rights abuse by the police and that all indicted officers should be punished.
Obiagwu added: “Speaking of judgment debts against the government, the money should be taken from the budget of the department that caused the problem, so that people involved can feel the liability.”
“There should be a revamp of the syllabus in police training schools. The Police Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police and NHRC should engage officers frequently with training on best practices.”