By Olufemi Atoyebi
The End SARS protest could be dated back to 2017 when some citizens of Nigeria called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, a unit of the Nigeria Police Force, for its alleged human rights abuse, extortion, and harassment.
The protest was majorly on social media. However, a widespread ENDSARS protest occurred in October 2020 leading to nationwide demonstrations, widespread unrest and, unfortunately, loss of lives and properties. Civilians and law enforcement officers are victims.
Many police officers became victims of attacks, some were cannibalised, some faced trauma and some experienced loss of life and property.
As we reflect on their travail, it’s important to consider both the challenges they faced and how to prevent such occurrences in the future while respecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest.
During the EndSars protest, many police officers lacked the necessary protective gear and training to handle large-scale protests without escalating violence.
Officers’ low morale, stemming from poor working conditions and insufficient welfare, left them vulnerable.
Graciously, the current Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has made the challenges of welfare a thing of the past
Due to the widespread narrative of police misconduct, there was deep public distrust, which made officers targets for violence.
How then can Police Officers be empowered and be protected from harm? The following ways will go a long way in solving the challenges faced by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
● Police officers should undergo extensive training in non-violent crisis management and crowd control, emphasising de-escalation strategies.
They need to be trained in human rights awareness and ways to manage protests without unnecessary force; this has been incorporated into the training of the recruits following the directives given by IGP Olukayode Egbetokun.
● Provide adequate protective gear and modern equipment.
Officers must be equipped with modern riot gear, body cameras, and non-lethal weapons, such as rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas, which can minimise harm during confrontations. Vehicles and facilities should be modernised for safety and swift response.
● Enhance Officers’ Welfare and Mental Health Support: Improve the welfare of police officers by increasing salaries, providing life insurance, and ensuring timely payment of pensions.
The force medical services should establish mental health support systems to help officers cope with trauma experienced in the line of duty, including therapy and counselling services.
● Foster Community Policing and Strengthen Police-Community Relations: community policing initiatives to build trust between officers and the communities they serve should be encouraged; this can help officers become more accepted and reduce the perception of police as oppressors. By establishing regular dialogue between the police and civil society groups to create mutual understanding and cooperation.
● Reform the Judicial System to Protect Police and Ensure Accountability: Police officers need clear legal protections against unlawful attacks during protests. At the same time, there should be strong accountability mechanisms for officers who engage in misconduct.
● Create Early Warning and Conflict Mitigation Systems: As the Police did during the just concluded August 1-10 nationwide protest, by creating early warnings and putting in place adequate measures to mitigate conflicts, one could say that the protest did not emanate to violent and wanton destruction of property because the Inspector General of Police, who has a PhD in Peace and Security Studies, is the man the cap fits.
Police should always use data and intelligence gathering to predict potential violent protests and implement early warning systems that allow them to respond proactively.
They should also invest in conflict resolution teams that can intervene before situations spiral into violence.
The Nigeria Police Force, as a security agency saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties as enshrined in Section 214 of the 1999 constitution as amended and Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, is not a revenue generation institution; therefore, the government must empower them adequately for them to succeed in their constitutional duties through the following:
● The government should institute clear policies on police protection, protest management, and reform laws that improve police capacity while holding them accountable.
● The government must invest in modern police stations, training academies, and state-of-the-art technology that will make policing more effective and safe.
● The government should encourage the police to engage with the public to build trust and address grievances without resorting to violence through periodic town hall meeting
By focusing on the solutions above, the government can empower police officers to protect themselves better and enhance their ability to perform their duties while upholding human rights and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
