THE YEAR 2020 ENDSARS SAGA: A WOUND ON THE NOTION OF CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY IN IGBO CULTURAL SETTING

Abstract

This research is about the year 2020 ENDSARS saga: A wound on the notion of constituted authority in Igbo cultural setting. The researchers intend to find out how the endSARS demonstration affected the understanding of constituted authority in Igbo cultural setting. SARS (Special Ant-Robbery Squad) was created in 1992 as a Nigerian Police Force unit to help in fighting crimes. The result of the research shows that the endSARS demonstration started as a result of the human right violations and other inhuman activities by members of SARS. The demonstration had drastic effects on the Igbo notion of constituted authority; because it frustrated the psychology of the Igbo people about a constituted authority in security sector. Besides, it made them lose trust in SARS as a constituted authority. Furthermore, Poor and slow response of the government made the people suspect and lose interest in the government as the higher authority. In addition, the outcome of the demonstration made the masses to look down on the police as a constituted authority; which, in turn, may affect the process of peace keeping in the country. At the end, the researchers suggested some solutions to the problem. They are, there is need to educate the public on the meaning and significance of a constituted authority. There is need for personality test of members of Nigerian police force. Then, the youths should be allowed to take part in Nigerian policy making; this will help in full representation to avoid future occurrence of mass protest.