THE TRAJECTORIES OF POLICE BRUTALITY IN NIGERIA AND THE 2020 ENDSARS PROTEST

Abstract

The paper examines the dynamics of police brutality and the EndSARS protest in Nigeria. It traces the development of the phenomenon to colonial creation and indoctrination. It is averred that police brutality is historical given the way recruits were enlisted into the force under colonial rule and in modern Nigeria. The paper also considers the predicaments of members of NPF under successive nonchalant and irresponsible governments as factors that have created room for continual brutality. On print, social and visual media, symposiums and conferences have been organized in order to reform NPF activities for better policing. Sadly, almost all attempts have amounted to nothing. Rather, Nigeria citizens are constantly maimed and killed by officers of NPF on account of extortions, extrajudicial killings and tormenting stop-and-search conditions. It was this frequent occurrence that culminated in 2020 EndSARS protest. So, the paper interrogates these reoccurring ugly developments and seeks answer to these mind boggling questions: in what standard should the NPF conduct themselves before the citizens?; why hasNigerian government found it difficult to provide better remuneration to members of NPF? These questions among issues are the focus of this paper. The paper concludes that until the NPF is adequately catered for and effective disciplinary measure taken against any erring officer irrespective of the rank, the problem of police brutality will remain. The methodology is historical with data garnered from primary and secondary sources.