Activists from the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police tactical units organized rallies across several Nigerian cities and towns against human rights violations and violence done by the defunct SARS and other police tactical units.

At the height of the protest on October 20 at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, the Nigerian army and police murdered 12 people, according to the global human rights organization.

One year later, the historic protest and series of events that led to the alleged killings and protests at Lekki Tollgate are being commemorated today.

Despite calls for justice for those who were killed in the Lekki shootings on October 20, the Lagos State #EndSARS panel has announced it will submit its findings to the state administration.

The common term for the many panels of inquiry set up in roughly 28 states and Abuja to investigate accusations of human rights violations and brutality perpetrated on Nigerians by members of the former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police tactics is the #EndSARS panel.

“An investigation by the organization found that Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 people on 20 October 2020 at Lekki toll gate and Alausa in Lagos. Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.

“The organization also found that detained protesters were tortured and refused or denied immediate access to lawyers.

“A year on, despite the gravity of these human rights violations, not a single member of the security forces has been prosecuted while judicial panels of inquiry set up to investigate abuses by officers have made little progress,” the statement said.

In response to the demands of the #EndSARS rallies, the federal and state governments decided to set up the panels.

Amnesty International noted in a statement commemorating the protests that, despite the Nigerian government’s assurances of significant reforms, police operatives continue to abuse civilians’ rights with impunity.

“One year after peaceful #EndSARS protests ended in a brutal crackdown by Nigerian security forces in Abuja, Lagos, and other parts of the country, no one has been brought to justice for the torture, violence, and killings of peaceful protesters,” Amnesty International says as the various panels submit their findings.

President Muhammadu Buhari must fulfill his promise of reforming the police, according to Osai Ojigho, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, to stop the reign of impunity that Nigerians have been demonstrating against for years.

“Failure to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for the torture and killings of #EndSARS protesters on 20 October 2020 is yet another indication that Nigerian authorities lack the political will to ensure accountability for these atrocities, and end police brutality,” Mr. Ojigho was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Under the pretext of restoring order, horrific injuries were inflicted on hundreds of people and at least 56 people were killed, among them dozens of young people lost their lives as Nigerian security forces used unnecessary and excessive force to disperse peaceful protesters across the country.

“It is unacceptable that despite overwhelming evidence, the government continues to deny the use of live ammunition on protesters at Lekki toll gate exactly a year ago,” Mr. Ojigho added.

Amnesty International said it had documented incidents at Lekki toll gate in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, showing the violent response of the Nigerian security forces to peaceful protests.

“The clear aim of the crackdown was to instill fear, discourage peaceful protests and punish those demanding an end to widespread human rights violations by the police,” it said.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), “at least 12 journalists were attacked by security personnel and unidentified assailants during the #EndSARS rallies.”

“Many of the detainees examined by Amnesty International claimed to have been tortured while in custody.” In numerous cases, police brutality persisted at detention, in police stations and other detention facilities, and police vehicles on the way to imprisonment.

“Torture and other forms of ill-treatment have been used in several of these situations. Access to legal counsel is either delayed or unavailable.

Amnesty International reported that it has documented numerous cases of police denying or delaying access to lawyers and medical personnel.

“This was despite repeated requests from detainees to see or call a lawyer – and repeated requests from lawyers at places of detention to have access to the detainees. Several lawyers and human rights defenders said they spent days moving from one police station to another trying to find out where those who had been arrested were being held.

“One person arrested during a protest on 18 October 2020 and held at Lagos state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, said he repeatedly asked to call a lawyer. He was told by a police officer to shut up. While in detention, he was denied access to a lawyer who had come to see him and was unable to meet with a lawyer until a week after being arrested.

“Providing timely access to lawyers is an important safeguard for many human rights, such as the right to a fair trial and ensuring the detainee’s rights are respected in custody, including the right to access medical care when needed, as well as protection from coerced confessions and torture and other ill-treatment.

“Investigative panels set up to look into police brutality have so far been marred by prolonged adjournments, intimidation of witnesses by police lawyers, and the failure of police officers to appear as witnesses, according to observer reports verified by Amnesty International. Panels have failed to sit in some states, and in others have gone on an indefinite break,” the statement noted.

“What we observed at these panels is discouraging and clearly shows there is no real commitment to ensuring justice for victims of police violence across Nigeria. These panels raised hopes of getting justice but in some states, this is quickly vanishing,” Mr. Ojigho said.

Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to decisively end police impunity.

“Use of pro-government thugs to violently disperse and undermine peaceful #EndSARS protests must be thoroughly, independently, impartially, and transparently investigated and suspected perpetrators brought to justice in fair trials.

“The right to peaceful protest, which is guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and international law, must not be denied to Nigerians.”

“All people who have been jailed or gone missing since the #EndSARS protests must be released or reunited with their families as soon as possible.” Mr. Ojigho asked that Nigerian authorities ensure victims and their families have access to appropriate remedies, including adequate compensation, restitution, and a guarantee of non-repetition.