OVERVIEW
The scale, speed of escalation and enduring nature of the protests during the past ten days has caused growing alarm at state and federal government. Despite announcements initially suspending and then disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), protests have not only been sustained but have grown in attendance.
A protest movement started by Nigerians who are tired of police brutality & bad governance has, to an extent, been hijacked by thugs, gangs, the unemployed and the disaffected in support of their own agendas.
A real fear of the security agencies is that further disorder is being incited by subversive elements, motivated either by internal national politics or resourced by international agendas, who seek use the protests to create anarchy and social upheaval.
Incidents – 19 October 2020
Widespread protests in Abuja Kano, Warri, Sapele, Benin City, Makurdi, Auchi, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Lagos and other towns. Key events include the blocking of airport access, Army Guards Brigade personnel deployed in Abuja, protest engineered breakouts from 2 Benin city prisons and the subsequent imposition of a 24 hour curfew in Edo State. There were also unconfirmed reports of several protest related deaths in Abuja.
Incidents – 20 October 2020
- Widespread protest across the country with hotspots in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Jos. Key events include:
- Abuja – key routes blocked – running battles with security forces – overhead live fire and tear gas.
- Lagos – Orile police station set on fire by protestors. A policeman killed, weapons and ammunition stolen.
- Lagos – 24 hour curfew imposed from 1600 hrs.
- Kano – violent confrontation in Sabon Gari area of city. Reportedly 2 killed and many injured.
BACKGROUND
SARS is a branch of the Nigeria Police Force’s Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID). The Squad came into being in 1992. The squad deals with crimes associated with armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and crimes associated with firearms.
For years SARS has been lambasted for acting beyond the law. Amnesty International’s 2016 report stated that ‘SARS is indicted and responsible for human abuse, cruelty, degrading treatment of Nigerians in their custody, and other widespread torture. Some of the human rights abuse by SARS include the shooting of their detainees in the leg, mock or threats of execution, hanging and severe beating.’
ASSESSMENT
Targeting of and disruption to key transport infrastructure will impact on aspects of national security. Despite the President’s reassurance that Nigeria is a democracy in which peaceful protest is to be allowed and tolerated, continued violent protest is likely to attract a swift and heavy-handed response from the security services. Because of the deteriorating situation, if curfews do not serve to de-escalate tensions, it is quite possible that we will see the widespread deployment of the army to disperse protestors. This will almost certainly result in death or injury to protestors.
International and national staff of client organisations are recommended to maintain situational awareness of local protest events and to minimise movement until the situation normalises.
International personnel should register and maintain links with their diplomatic missions for further guidance.
STAY INFORMED
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