Follow us

Human Rights Commission’s Activities on Police Brutality (ENDSARS).

The National Human Right Commission https://www.nigeriarights.gov.ng/ serves as an extra-judicial mechanism for the respect and enjoyment of human rights. It also provides avenues for public enlightenment, research, and dialogue in order to raise awareness on Human Rights.

#EndSARS started as a call for the disbandment of Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force that has earned notoriety for its brutality and human rights violations.

  1. September 5, 2018. The National Human Rights Commission inaugurated a seven-man Special Investigative Panel to look into the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police and make recommendations for its reform. A statement on Tuesday September 4, 2018 by the Commission in Abuja said the investigative panel was inaugurated in line with a presidential directive. https://punchng.com/nhrc-inaugurates-probe-panel-on-sars-calls-for-memoranda-2/

  2. October 07 2020. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asked Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police, to revisit its 2018 panel report on the operations of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS). The commission, in a statement reacting to calls for the ban of SARS, urged the IGP to look into retraining police officers. https://www.thecable.ng/endsars-nhrc-asks-igp-to-revisit-2018-panel-report-on-human-rights-abuses

  3. October 10 2020. The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq. requested the NHRC to invite stakeholders to be part of the implementation of the report of the presidential panel on SARS/POLICE Reforms. Following public outrage and successful campaign for FSARS/POLICE Reforms. This depicts the Federal government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the process. https://www.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/posts/nhrc-partners-stakeholders-on-sarspolice-reformsdear-compatriots-this-is-executi/1084257848658182/

  4. October 7 2020 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday inaugurated an 11-member Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) to probe allegations of human rights violations against the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigeria Police Force (NFP). https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/nhrc-inaugurates-independent-probe-panel-on-human-rights-violations-by-police/4pv5vzv

  5. October 11 2020. The National Human Right commission released a Press statement by Tony Ojukwu, esq Executive Secretary, on the determination of the Federal Government to put an end to gross human rights violations by SARS/police operatives. The National Human Rights Commission commended the courage and display of mark of a listening Government through the disbandment of SARS by the Federal Government. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=124219298978768&story_fbid=398015144932514

  6. October 18 2020. The National Human right Commission, submitted the report of the Presidential Investigation Panel on Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of the Nigerian Police to the Chairman Police Service Commission, Mr. Musliu Smith for immediate implementation. In a statement in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Mr. Tony Ojukwu expressed confidence in the ability of the Police Service commission to effectively implement the report. https://www.nigeriarights.gov.ng/nhrc-media/press-release/145-police-reform-nhrc-submits-panel-s-report-to-psc-seeks-immediate-implementation.html

  7. October 18 2020. The National Human Right Commission sent a notice to all NHRC state offices and headquarters Abuja to monitor all human rights violations during the protests. The states, and monitoring department at headquarters, were required to go out and follow the #EndSARS protesters to monitor the protests in the various states and Abuja to protect their human rights. Officers were instructed to bring reports of any human rights violations by security and law enforcement personnel or thugs against the peaceful protesters. https://www.facebook.com/154441408306502/posts/notice-to-all-nhrc-state-offices-and-headquarters-abuja-monitoring-of-human-righ/1090982981319002/

  8. October 19 2020. NHRC Boss met Speaker, House of Reps - seeks institutionalization of Investigation Panel on activities of law enforcement personnel. The ES also said the victims of human rights violations by SARS should be compensated. https://www.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/videos/2718808278377503

  9. October 19 2020. Tony Ojukwu Esq informed Speaker, House of Reps that providing direct funds to the Police stations will remove administrative bottle necks and engenders result oriented policing. He stated that nobody will expect the police personnel to fund investigations with their salaries. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=271880827837750

  10. October 20 2020. SARS panel recommended about ₦265,754,730 monetary compensation for victims of human rights violations SARS panel chaired by the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu Esq gave a far-reaching recommendation including monetary compensation of ₦265,754,730 to victims of human rights violations. https://www.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/posts/sars-panel-recommends-about-265754730-monetary-compensation-for-victims-of-human/1092472551170045/

  11. October 20, 2020. The National Human Rights Commission on Monday submitted a list of 35 operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), for prosecution. https://punchng.com/nhrc-lists-35-indicted-sars-operatives-malami-pledges-prosecution/

  12. October 21 2020. The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission Anthony O. Ojukwu Esq condemned in strong terms killings in some parts of the country occasioned by the END SARS protest. https://www.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/posts/1093229604427673?comment_id=1093956467688320

  13. October 23, 2020 The National Human Right commission (NHRC) invited members of the pubic to submit complaints to its independent investigation panel (IIP) on allegations of human right violations by members of the disbanded special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigeria Police from all state of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory. https://thenigerialawyer.com/endsars-national-human-rights-commission-calls-for-complaints-fixes-november-2nd-as-deadline/

  14. October 31 2020. Executive Secretary of NHRC Tony Ojukwu Esq. and the President of the NBA Olumide Akpata Esq. both signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to affirm their determination to assist victims of human rights violations by some personnel of the NPF. https://www.nta.ng/news/20201031-endsarsnational-human-rights-commission-nba-sign-mou/

  15. November 4, 2020. EndSARS: NHRC panel began sitting on November 2 2020, received 150 petitions. The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations set up by the federal government to investigate alleged human right violations by members of the defunct SARS has begun sitting. The panel had so far received 150 petitions from the six geopolitical zones of the country, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission Tony Ojukwu said at the inaugural sitting of the panel. https://peoplesgazette.com/endsars-nhrc-panel-begins-sitting-receives-150 petitions/

Activities of and cases heard and by the Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) on allegations of human rights violations against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Police force

  1. November 4 2020. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) assured Nigerians that Police Officers indicted in the report of the Presidential Investigation Panel (PIP) on allegations of human rights violations against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Police will be taken to court for prosecution in the coming weeks. https://www.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/posts/defunct-sars-agf-to-arraign-indicted-sars-officers-in-coming-weeks-as-independen/1105305366553430/

  2. November 5 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) on allegations of human rights violations against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Police force was on November 4 2020 told how Inspector Benjamin Peters allegedly shot a 23-year-old female youth corps member, Miss Linda Igwetu on 3rd July, 2018 in Abuja. https://www.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/posts/defunct-sars-panel-complainant-testifies-how-an-inspector-of-police-shot-her-sis/1106344649782835/

  3. November 7 2020. IIP on SARS: 8 complainants of alleged rights violations by SARS recount how the operatives unlawfully tortured and detained them for 2 weeks-----seeks N50m compensation----Eight complainants from Southern Kaduna Friday told the Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) on SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police Force, sitting in Abuja how Inspector Cornelius Agbo, a SARS operative mobilised his colleagues under the FCT Police Command to arrest, torture and detain them unlawfully for two weeks based on ethnic sentiments. https://www.facebook.com/1356115497846410/posts/iip-on-sars-8-complainants-of-alleged-rights-violations-by-sars-recount-how-the-/2397314790393137/

  4. November 16 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police force on Thursday told the Police to be serious in complying with its order of November 16, 2020, which directed them to produce three Police officers allegedly involved in the enforced disappearance of Edward Dumsiri Leera. https://thenationonlineng.net/endsars-panel-orders-police-to-produce-victim-of-forced-disappearance/

  5. November 18 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police on Tuesday told the Police to get ready and respond to a complaint of alleged abduction and enforced disappearance of a young boy, Elijah Tanko of Bwari Area Council of FCT. https://www.optimumtimes.com/iip-sars-orders-police-to-respond-to-alleged-enforced-disappearance-of-sick-boy-in-abuja/

  6. November 19 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police force on Monday ordered the Police to produce Edward Dumsiri Leera, whose brother, Confidence Leera, alleged was held in Police custody since November 1,2019. https://pmexpressng.com/iip-sars-police-ordered-to-produce-victim-of-enforced-disappearance-on-nov-19/

  7. November 30 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by defunct Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police on Monday ordered the Police to produce evidence to prove that it deposited the dead body of Emmanuel Ita Epharaim which Police claimed was brought to Atamkpa Divisional Police station, Calabar, Cross River state by Officers of the Department State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). https://www.dailynews24.ng/2020/11/30/panel-orders-police-to-produce-evidence-of depositing-corpse-of-emmanuel-ephraim-in calabarmortuary/?fbclid=IwAR2bcXEH4Mp3O9csbvCZaYjTSI4F_RPDTMEqiPHFLfwq9KGRaABfDUtZc0

  8. December 1 2020 IIP-SARS: Woman testifies how her 21-year-old son was shot dead by police in rivers state, refuses to release corpse --as family seeks N1b compensation, prosecution of errant officers. A complainant at the Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other units of the Nigerian Police on Tuesday testified how her 21-year-old son, Daniel Agori was shot dead by officers of IGP's Monitoring unit at Alor, Ikwere, Rivers state on May 10, 2019. https://sunrisetimes.com.ng/iip-sars-woman-testifies-how-her-21-year-old-son-was-killed-by-sars/

  9. December 4 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of Human Rights Violations by the defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian police gave a landmark judgment in favour of a complainant, Mr. Gabriel Ofoma who approached the panel praying it to order the police to return certificate of occupancy of his land alleged confiscation by officers of the CP monitoring Unit of the Nigerian police FCT Command. https://m.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/photos/a.169932116757431/1129394364144530/?type=3&source=57

  10. December 6 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police on Thursday, ordered the Police to produce the medical records and post mortem report of one Ovoko Godwin Onomrerhino who was allegedly killed by the Police in 2019. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/nhrc-probe-unit-orders-police-to-produce-killer-officer-of-5-in-delta/

  11. December 14 2020. " An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of IGP-IRT "D" Division Itam, Uyo, David Ahmed Agbo on Monday told the Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) that Edward Dumsara Leera whose brother, Confidence Leera, claimed was being held in police custody since November 1, 2019 is dead. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=154441408306502&story_fbid=1136620523421914

  12. December 14 2020. IIP ON SARS: Complainant Confidence Leera on behalf of Edward Dumisara on alleged unlawful arrest and enforced disappearance by SP Martin Samuel, DSP Essien E Edet Esq, ASP David Ahmed Agbo, IGP-IRT ("D" Division Itam, Uyo), Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom... and Inspector General of Police. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CIxuadygQ0N/?igshid=1rwzsnoomkppw&fbclid=IwAR2NPOean7yVBRNqBGjvbpkOrT8SwZgUukjP3vX7SYlcpeK1NCzIDGxGplY

  13. December 15 2020. As the Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by the defunct special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian police resumed sitting on Monday, the chairman of the panel Justice Sulieman Galadima(rtd) ordered the police to produce the Commander of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari and Inspector Vincent Makinde before the panel in a case of alleged arbitrary arrest, detention, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment involving Mr. Rapheal Tersoo and Moses Mfe. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/12/15/endsars-abba-kyari-others-to-appear-before-abuja-panel-december-17/

  14. December 16 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) other units of the Nigerian Police has summoned ASP Marcus Joe who allegedly deposited the body of Emmanuel Ita Ephraim at a General Hospital mortuary in Calabar, Cross River state to appear before it on February 9, 2021, and explain the circumstances of the death of the victim. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/extra-judicial-killing-nhrc-probe-panel-summons-asp/

  15. December 16 2020 Mr. Okechukwu Jonnah had expressed fear before the IPP-SARS Panel that his brother Obinnah Jonah must have been killed by police when the case was part heard in November, a witness on the invitation of the panel revealed how the late Obinna Jonnah died in police custody. The witness, Abbah Onoja said it all happened in January when he was arrested with his friend Chizoba Samuel at a friend’s house in Karmo a suburb in the FCT, over an allegation of belonging to a cult. https://www.facebook.com/NHRCMRU/posts/witness-tells-panel-how-police-tortured-man-to-deathone-mr-okechukwu-jonnah-had-/1138068183277148/

  16. December 16 2020 Independent Investigative Panel on SARS and other units of the Nigeria Police. In a complaint filed by Sani Bello, a research analyst with Save the Soul Transparency and Eagle eyes International foundation, Bello stated in his petition the atrocities suffered by one of the organization's agents, Dr. George Davidson in the hands of some police officers in Abuja. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/police-forged-demand-warrant-detained-me-for-months-victim-tells-nhrc/

  17. December 16 2020. Extra-judicial killing: IIP-SARS summoned ASP Marcus Joe, operation Skolombo over death of Emmanuel Ita Ephraim --as panel counsel mentions post mortem report allegedly linking death to gunshot injuries https://sunrisetimes.com.ng/extra-judicial-killing-iip-sars-summons-asp-marcus-joe-operation-skolombo-over-death-of-emmanuel-ita-ephraim/

  18. December 16 2020. Police Officer allegedly linked to death of suspect falls sick counsel to the Nigerian Police DSP Godwin Ijeoma on Tuesday told the Independent Investigative Panel set up by the National Human Rights Commission to investigate human rights violation by defunct SARS that Inspector Kingsley who is among the SARS operatives that allegedly killed Festus Idehen has fallen sick and unable to appear before the panel. https://newnationalstar.com/police-brutality-police-officer-allegedly-linked-to-death-of-suspect-falls-sick/

  19. December 18 2020. The Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by defunct SARS and other units of Nigerian Police, the Police on Thursday produced Raphel Tersoo Toona, who has been in detention for over one year. Prior to Raphel’s production before the panel by the police, his counsel, Mike Utsaha had expressed fears about the condition of his client and had therefore pleaded with the panel to compel the police to produce him as earlier ordered by the panel on December 14, 2020. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/endsars-nhrc-pressures-police-to-release-complainant-detained-for-12-months/