The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is the primary law enforcement agency in Nigeria under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police.
Over time, the NPF has experienced endemic problems associated with the recruitment, training, inefficiency, and indiscipline leading to widespread corruption which has resulted to a low level of public confidence. Public perception of the Nigerian police are largely negative, with several calls and efforts geared towards a reform of the police force. However, it has not led to any significant improvement in police service delivery. https://www.proshareng.com/news/Politics/The--EndSARS-Protests-and-the-Problem-of-Police-Reform-in-Nigeria/53780
September 16, 2020. President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Nigeria Police Bill, 2020 into law. https://www.proshareng.com/admin/upload/report/13979-Harmonised-Police-Bill-2020-Adopted-by-Senate-proshare.pdf
The Act repeals the Police Act Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation, 2004, and provides for a more effective and well organised Police Force, driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/415277-buhari-signs-new-police-law.html
October 11, 2020. The #ENDSARS protesters came up with a 5 demand, part of it was to carry out psychological evaluation and retainment of all disbanded SARS operatives before they can be deployed (this should be verified by an independent body). https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/five-demands-from-endsars-protesters/
October 13, 2020. The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mohammed Adamu, set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to fill the gap created by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) dissolution. Despite the disbandment of the unit, protester refused to leave the streets. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/420567-nigeria-police-set-up-new-team-to-replace-disbanded-sars.html
October 13, 2020. In in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination. The officers were expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties. https://twitter.com/policeng/status/1316093831130099715?lang=en
October 18, 2020. Amidst the protests, the Nigeria’s police inspector general released a statement on involving the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help train Nigeria’s new tactical force (SWAT) as thousands nationwide continued to march against police brutality and in demand of further reforms. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-protests-police-idUSKBN2730VS
October 14, 2020. The Court of Appeal declared the Police Act 2020 as unconstitutional and void, as it affects the constitutional mandate of the Police Service Commission. It ruled that the provision of the Act was in conflict with paragraph 30 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution “which empowers the commission to appoint persons into offices in the Nigeria Police Force except the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.” However, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, appealed the ruling which nullified the earlier order of the Federal High Court, Abuja. https://punchng.com/appeal-court-declares-police-act-2020-illegal-nullifies-constable-recruitment/?amp=1
October 14, 2020. Evidence show the attack on protesters in Abuja by Hoodlums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIUI0ez8A7I&list=PLl6IvhbhEqwx-0h7Tz4cyNaD3RXdJwdgj&index=245
October 15, 2020. Widespread protests against Nigeria’s police turned violent as demonstrators were attacked by armed gangs
in the streets of several cities, according to witnesses.
https://apnews.com/article/police-police-brutality-africa-lagos-nigeria-64a909a53c4916bff606becc53b93601
October 18, 2020. Evidences show that the hoodlums that invaded the protests were not the actual protesters as they also
attacked protesters at various states during the ENDSARS protest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXtD0eObJJs&list=PLl6IvhbhEqwx-0h7Tz4cyNaD3RXdJwdgj,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGcGIZKo6kI
October 19, 2020. The protests took a different turn after consistent attacks on the protesters by hired thugs especially in
Lagos and Abuja
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/protests-nigerias-police-kill-10-charges-amnesty-73626736
October 19, 2020. Eyewitness recounts how thugs attacked the protesters and how the police station rejected the thugs that
were caught at Lagos protest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-j9leCygxU
October 20, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_zXrmjEddw
October 20, 2020. Excerpts as seen from DJ Switch’s Instagram Live video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aPk4rMMsko&bpctr=1610113460
October 20, 2020. Live update from Channels TV reporter at the scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tPOpHkRNFI
October 21, 2020. As seen from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOZvlyrw3qc
October 20, 2020. Reports shows that the Soldiers alleged blocked Ambulances from the lekki shooting scene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDfkh4FobaE
Delta state: October 8, 2020. In Otovwodo axis of Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, a policeman was killed following the protest that rocked the town in the wake of the Protest. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/policeman-killed-as-endsars-protest-turns-violent-in-ughelli/
Lagos state: October 20, 2020, three police stations were set ablaze by thugs in Lagos.
• Thugs attacked and set Orile Iganmu Police Station in Lagos state ablaze. This was reportedly after one of the police
officers at Orile shot and killed a resident on Tuesday morning (October 20, 2020).
https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/20/breaking-hoodlums-set-orile-police-station-on-fire/
• Armed thugs on Tuesday attacked Pako Police Station, in the Amukoko area of Lagos State, sacked the policemen and set
the station ablaze.
https://punchng.com/breaking-armed-thugs-set-ablaze-amukoko-police-station-in-lagos/
• Layeni Police Station Ojo road, Ajegunle was allegedly set on fire by thugs during Ojo Protests.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/breaking-two-dead-as-hoodlums-set-police-station-ablaze-in-ajegunle-lagos/
According to the police spokesperson, over 17 police formations across Lagos State were totally or partially razed by fire.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/422617-endsars-over-17-police-stations-burnt-in-lagos-official.html
October 20, 2020. The Dutse Makaranta Police Station in Abuja was set ablaze by the suspected hoodlums. Also torched were a
church and a filling station. They vandalised several vehicles and shops in the area.
In Aba, Abia state, a policeman reportedly died on Tuesday when a mob burnt a police station along Umuoba road axis of Ogbor Hill
in Aba. It was gathered the station was razed when a policeman fired at one of the #EndSARS protesters, who had refused to
disperse as ordered.
https://guardian.ng/news/four-killed-police-station-church-others-razed-in-abuja-aba/
October 20, 2020. Two police officers reportedly died in clashes between security agencies and hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSARS
protest in Abịa State. A police station was also burnt after the police fired shots to disperse the crowd.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/421934-updated-two-police-officers-killed-as-hoodlums-security-agents-clash-in-abia.html
Oyo state: October 20, 2020. Hoodlums reportedly set a police station on fire in Ojoo Ibadan, Oyo State capital, after
police killed three persons in a clash with thugs.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/421872-just-in-endsars-hoodlums-set-police-station-ablaze-in-ibadan.html.
At least seven police stations in Oyo state were razed and police equipment including guns and ammunition were looted.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/424586-endsars-how-hoodlums-razed-oyo-police-stations-stole-weapons.html
October 22, 2020. Two policemen were brutally attacked around Iwo Road and later burnt alive.
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/endsars-protest-hoodlums-attack-burn-two-policemen-to-death-in-oyo/
Edo state: October 21, 2020. Suspected hoodlums attacked and vandalised a Toyota Hilux Operational van of the Nigerian
Airforce at Benin-Agbor road, as police and hoodlums engage in gun battle.
https://businessday.ng/endsars-protest-update/article/endsars-thugs-attack-vandalize-airforce-operational-vehicle-in-benin/
October 21, 2020. The Divisional Crime Officer, DSP Augustine Ogbeche in Atan-Ota Divisional Police station in Ogun state
was killed and the Divisional Police Officer, Sikiru Olugbenga was assaulted, while the station was set ablaze.
https://theeagleonline.com.ng/endsars-protest-police-dco-killed-dpo-critically-injured-in-ogun/
Anambra: October 28, 2020. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr. John Abang, disclosed that 11 stations were burnt down and six vandalised during which the hoodlums carted away motorcycles, ammunition and other valuables. The hoodlums murdered four police officers, leaving two others injured. Also, the hoodlums murdered and beheaded Inspector John Oche attached to the Anti-Cult Unit and burnt his body to ashes parading the streets with the deceased policeman’s head. https://guardian.ng/news/police-weep-over-killing-of-two-dpos-officers-beheading-burning-of-11-stations/
Ebonyi state: October 29, 2020. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Philip Maku, disclosed that: - a police inspector, Egu Omini was killed by hoodlums and his manhood cut off. - the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, was invaded for the second time, the station was set ablaze including police patrol vehicles. Exhibit vehicles, tricycles/motorcycles and other police property seen within the station were burnt. - two policemen, Paul Akpu and PC Ali Samson sustained bullet injuries and two days later one of the victims, Akpu died while on admission. - Two stations in B Division KpiriKpiri/C Division Ekumenyi (Eke-Abe Police Station) were set on fire, after looting exhibit motorcycles, Plasma TVs, Fans and other valuables from the exhibit rooms - On Wednesday 28/10/2020 at about 4am, the hoodlums stormed Ezza North Divisional Headquarters, vandalized the building, burnt two vehicles and Exhibit motorcycles - They shot and wounded one Inspector Okewu Sunday and snatched his AK-47 rifle. The victim is currently receiving treatment in the hospital https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/423670-how-two-police-officers-were-killed-during-ebonyi-endsars-protest-official.html
October 29, 2020. The Nation newspaper reported that hoodlums killed 2 Policemen and destroyed 7 Police stations in
Ebonyi.
https://thenationonlineng.net/endsars-how-hoodlums-killed-2-policemen-destroyed-7-police-stations-in-ebonyi/
October 30, 2020. The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, noted that not less than 22 police officers were killed by
youth protesting police brutality while hundreds of police stations and formations across the country were damaged.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/423724-22-police-officers-killed-by-rampaging-protesters-igp.html
Summary: October 24, 2020. A cumulative of the attacks by hoodlums on the protesters and the police was captured by the vanguard newspaper as seen in https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/endsars-protests-southern-nigeria-boils-as-hoodlums-go-on-rampage/
November 23, 2020. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, approved the promotion of Eighty-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Nine (82,779) Junior Police Officers to their next ranks. Also, 16 police officers who lost their lives during the protest were also given a posthumous promotion. This was aimed at boost the morale of personnel and reposition the force for greater efficiency. https://twitter.com/PoliceNG/status/1330908878926737408?s=20
December 4, 2020. Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave 10 million naira each to families of the six police officers lynched in Lagos State during the violence that erupted in the protest to compensate the bereaved families. Also, the governor announced scholarship awards to children of the deceased officers up to university level. https://guardian.ng/news/lagos-gives-n10m-each-to-families-of-policemen-killed-during-endsars-protests/
Other states are gradually looking into ways of compensations. December 30, 2020. The Ekiti State Judicial Panel of Inquiry has recommended over N1.5 million as compensation to six complainants including four policemen. https://tribuneonlineng.com/endsars-ekiti-panel-recommends-n1-5m-compensation-for-four-policemen-two-other-petitioners/
January 1, 2020. The president of Nigeria in his new year speech, reaffirmed his commitment to working towards police reforms and accountability. This is with a view towards fulfilling the five demands of the #ENDSARS PROTESTERS, towards a better Nigeria. https://statehouse.gov.ng/news/new-year-speech-by-president-muhammadu-buhari/