Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, reflected on the violent turn of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, attributing the unrest to the government’s mishandling of the situation. He advised the government to identify and engage with the protest leaders and address the issues they are raising.
“There are demands that are being made, and the government should address these demands,” Falana stated.
Falana cautioned against the use of threats or force, warning that such tactics would be counterproductive.
He noted that government threats often escalate the situation, making protests more popular and widespread.
The #EndSARS protests began as a peaceful movement calling for police reforms and an end to police brutality, particularly targeting the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), known for its cruelty. However, the protests turned violent when hoodlums took advantage of the situation, leading to looting, attacks on security operatives and citizens, and destruction of public infrastructure.
A particularly tragic incident during the protests occurred when soldiers fired on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, resulting in deaths and injuries. Recently, the ECOWAS Court of Justice held the Nigerian government accountable for violating the rights of three Nigerians involved in the Lekki Toll Gate incident.
The upcoming protests are driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the economy and governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Protests have already erupted over tariff and fuel price hikes, as well as insecurity and economic hardship.
The August protests, however, are expected to be the largest yet, with significant mobilization happening across social media platforms.
Falana’s advice is clear: the government should engage with protest leaders and address their demands constructively to avoid a repeat of the violence seen during the #EndSARS protests.
