INFLUENCE OF ENDSARS PROTEST ON THE POLITICAL INTEREST OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTHS

THE INFLUENCE OF ENDSARS PROTEST ON THE POLITICAL INTEREST OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTHS

ABSTRACT

The project on the influence of EndSars protest on political interest of Nigerian youths. The project aimed at investigating the influence of EndSars protest on political interest of Nigerian youths, determining the relationship between endsars protest and political interest of youths and finding out if the political interest of youths is gender-based. A total of 134 respondents were selected from the population figure out of which the sample size was determined. Data was collected by means of structured questionnaires administered randomly to some selected youths in Alagbado local government area, Lagos state, Nigeria. Findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents were of the opinion that there is a significant influence of EndSars protest on political interest of Nigerian youths, there is a significant relationship between EndSars protest and the political interest of youths is gender-based.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad, popularly known as SARS, was established as a special police unit in 1992 to tackle increasing incidents of armed robberies and kidnappings for ransom by criminal elements operating across Nigeria (Vanguard, 23 December 2017). Originally set up to operate independently in order to target criminal groups, the unit’s success hinged on its anonymity and mode of operation. SARS operatives conducted covert operations in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles to support police operations responding to community distress calls on armed robberies and other serious crimes. Over the years, however, SARS officials have been implicated in widespread human rights violations and have garnered a reputation for arbitrary arrests, torture, rape, extortion, unlawful detention, and extrajudicial killings. 

In recent years, Nigeria has experienced a significant increase in violence targeting civilians by state forces. ACLED records nearly 100 events of violence targeting civilians perpetrated by state forces in 2020 alone (see figure below). The Nigerian government has failed to bring perpetrators to justice despite promises of police reform. This has continued to embolden SARS officials and other security personnel to operate with impunity. After the 3 October 2020 shooting of an unarmed man, for example, police sources denied the incident despite video evidence to the contrary, reporting instead that the victim was arrested and sustained injuries when he jumped out of a police patrol car (Concise, 2020)