The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, through its Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, has voiced concerns about the government’s and security services’ insufficient commitment to addressing the root causes of the #EndSARS protests three years after the events.
According to Nwanguma, the government’s response to widespread complaints of police violence during the protests lacked seriousness and appropriate actions.
In a statement issued on Friday, Nwanguma noted that the government appears to have learned no lessons from the #EndSARS events, behaving as if the issues raised were inconsequential.
The statement emphasizes that the promised police reforms have not materialized, leaving some regions grappling with the aftermath of the protests and the forceful suppression at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
The dire situation is further exacerbated as police officers remain targets of attacks in certain areas, making it challenging for law enforcement to effectively respond to crime while also being implicated in rights violations.
The failure to implement recommendations from judicial panels investigating police brutality adds to the dissatisfaction, as perpetrators are yet to be held accountable, and victims have not received redress.
The statement underscores the need for far-reaching reforms to prevent human rights violations, instill a culture of accountability, and rebuild public trust in the police.
Additionally, promises to improve the welfare of police officers, aimed at combating corruption and humanizing the police force, have not been fulfilled, suggesting that such commitments were made to pacify public anger without genuine follow-through.
