Photo Credit: AFP
Several Nigerians have narrated their ordeal in the hands of the country’s police including the harassments and brutality they suffered since the October 2020 #EndSARS protests as compiled in a newly released documentary.
The documentary was released by Ghana-based investigative media organisation, Tiger Eye Foundation, which detailed the killings of the October 2020 #EndSARS protesters by the Nigerian security personnel.
The documentary also exposed stories of victims and their families, as well as the unbearable rate of police brutality in Nigeria.
One of such accounts of police brutality, particularly in October 2020 during the #EndSARS protest was told by a victim, Afolabi Adekaiyaoja.
Adekaiyaoja had hoped for a peaceful protest where the Nigerian government would address the issue of police brutality. Instead, he ended up on the streets of Abuja, fleeing from police officers who were beating and tear-gassing #ENDSARS protesters.
“I saw tear gas canisters flying towards me; one hit my finger causing me to stumble. That’s when I noticed the police charging with their batons. I was beaten on my hand and stomach. The effects of the tear gas were overwhelming too,” Afolabi recalled.
In October 2020, Afolabi, an Abuja-based researcher, had joined the nationwide #ENDSARS protests alongside hundreds of other young Nigerians. This movement had arisen in response to rampant bribery, extortion, harassment, and extrajudicial killings by the Nigerian police, notably by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Afolabi could never have anticipated the severe backlash the protesters would face. He, along with countless other Nigerians, encountered violence from security operatives. Throughout the protests, protesters were beaten, unjustly detained, tear-gassed, and tragically, some lost their lives.
“The ideal response to the protests would've been for a senior official, like the Inspector General of Police, to reassure Nigerians that their voices were being heard, and to demonstrate actionable plans – not resort to violence,” Afolabi opined.
His ordeal, as well as the experiences of many others impacted by police brutality and the #ENDSARS protests are documented in the newly released documentary, “October 2020.”
Produced by the Tiger Eye Foundation, a media nonprofit advocating for investigative journalism, the documentary digs into the events and aftermath of the 2020 #ENDSARS protests, highlighting the enduring impact on Nigeria and the global community, three years on.
“October 2020” spotlights activists, experts, and young protesters like Afolabi, all of whom were profoundly affected by the rampant police brutality and the ensuing #ENDSARS movement.
In collaboration with organizations and media partners like Sahara Reporters, the Tiger Eye Foundation aims to immortalize the events with “October 2020,” while championing the lessons from ENDSARS to lead Nigeria to a hopeful future.