Human Rights Abuses and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria Fourth Republic: A Study of ENDSARS Protest 2020
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of human rights abuses on the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, using the #EndSARS protest of 2020 as a case study. The specific objectives are to:
- Investigate the nature and extent of human rights abuses perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) prior to and during the #EndSARS protest.
- Examine the Nigerian government’s response to the #EndSARS protest and its implications for democratic governance.
- Assess the impact of the #EndSARS protest on citizens’ perceptions of democracy and governance in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERTURE
HUMAN RIGHT
Human rights refer to the fundamental entitlements and freedoms inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, language, or any other status. These rights are universal, inalienable, indivisible, and interdependent. The concept of human rights is grounded in the idea that every individual possesses intrinsic worth and dignity that must be respected and protected by law and society (United Nations, 2022).
Historically, the foundation of human rights can be traced to various philosophical and religious traditions, but their modern articulation began with documents such as the Magna Carta (1215), the Bill of Rights (1689), the American Declaration of Independence (1776), and most importantly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The UDHR set out, for the first time, a common standard of fundamental human rights to be universally protected. It has since inspired numerous binding treaties and national constitutions around the world (United Nations, 2023).
Human rights are often categorized into civil and political rights, such as the right to life, freedom of expression, and the right to a fair trial; and economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to education, healthcare, and an adequate standard of living. These rights are enshrined in major international instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (OHCHR, 2022).
Recent scholarship emphasizes that human rights must be seen through a contemporary lens, incorporating emerging global challenges such as digital rights, climate justice, gender identity, and migration. For instance, the increasing role of digital technology in daily life has led to discussions about the right to privacy, freedom of information, and digital access as fundamental human rights (Benedek, Kettemann, & Riedl, 2021). The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has recently advocated for the inclusion of environmental protection and the fight against climate change as integral to the realization of human rights (UNHRC, 2023).
In Africa, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981)—also known as the Banjul Charter—serves as the regional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Charter uniquely integrates individual rights with collective peoples’ rights and emphasizes duties as well as rights (Adejo & Omodia, 2021).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter outlines the methodology adopted for the study titled: Human Rights Abuses and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: A Study of the #EndSARS Protest (2020). It describes the research design, population, sample and sampling techniques, method of data collection, instruments for data collection, validity and reliability of the instruments, method of data analysis, and ethical considerations.
Research Design
This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. This design is appropriate for studies that seek to collect and analyze data from a sample of respondents in order to describe and interpret current conditions, practices, or opinions on a social issue (Nwankwo, 2016). It was selected because the study aimed to assess forms of human rights abuses perpetrated by SARS and the implications of the Nigerian government’s response to the #EndSARS protest on democratic governance, using the perceptions and experiences of participants.
Population of the Study
The population of the study comprised youths, civil society activists, legal practitioners, journalists, and victims of police brutality in three selected states: Lagos, Abuja (FCT), and Rivers, where major #EndSARS protests occurred. The choice of this population is based on the fact that these groups were either direct participants or observers of the events during and after the protest.
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CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
This chapter presents and analyzes the data collected in response to the two main research questions of the study titled: Human Rights Abuses and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: A Study of the #EndSARS Protest (2020). The data were obtained through questionnaires and interviews conducted among youths, civil society activists, journalists, and victims of SARS brutality across Lagos, Abuja, and Rivers States.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of Findings
This study examined the nexus between human rights abuses and the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, using the 2020 #EndSARS protest as a case study. The research was guided by two major questions:
What forms of human rights abuses were commonly associated with the operations of SARS prior to the #EndSARS protest?
How did the Nigerian government respond to the #EndSARS protest, and what were the implications of this response on democratic practices?
Using a descriptive survey design, data were gathered from 120 respondents across Lagos, Abuja, and Rivers States, along with interviews from 10 key informants, including activists, legal practitioners, and journalists.
Key findings include:
Widespread human rights violations were committed by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), including arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings, extortion, and racial profiling, especially against young Nigerians.
The Nigerian government’s response to the #EndSARS protest was largely repressive and undemocratic. While the government announced the disbandment of SARS, it simultaneously deployed security forces against peaceful protesters, most notably at the Lekki Toll Gate, leading to loss of lives and global condemnation.
These actions resulted in a decline in public trust in democratic institutions, violated constitutional rights, and exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic system.
Despite this, the #EndSARS movement also served as a catalyst for youth political awakening, social media-driven mobilization, and increased civic participation, suggesting the potential for democratic renewal if government accountability improves.
Conclusion
The #EndSARS protest exposed the deep-seated culture of impunity, brutality, and disregard for human rights by security operatives in Nigeria, particularly the SARS unit. These abuses, largely unchecked by the state for years, culminated in a mass civic uprising that drew both national and international attention.
However, the state’s authoritarian response to peaceful protests including violent suppression, freezing of protester accounts, and digital censorship revealed a troubling disconnect between democratic form and democratic substance in Nigeria. While the country maintains electoral democracy, its commitment to core democratic values such as freedom of expression, assembly, and human rights protection remains weak.
The sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy, therefore, hinges on the ability of government institutions to respect the rule of law, guarantee civil liberties, and engage meaningfully with citizens, particularly the youth. Without structural reforms and accountability mechanisms, democracy in Nigeria risks further erosion.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
The government should empower and fund the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other watchdog agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of abuse by security operatives. These institutions must be made truly independent and free from executive interference.
Democratic sustainability requires more than elections. The government must promote democratic norms such as freedom of speech, peaceful protest, access to justice, and equal treatment under the law. Laws such as the Cybercrime Act and Public Order Act should be reviewed to prevent misuse against dissenters.
The government should institutionalize youth participation in decision-making through youth parliaments, advisory councils, and political inclusion frameworks. Youth-driven initiatives like the Feminist Coalition during #EndSARS demonstrate the capacity of young people to lead responsibly and transparently.
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