EndSARS Sparks ‘Irresponsible Protests,’ Says Presidential Adviser

According to a recent interview, Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, characterized the 2020 #EndSARS protests as the inception of “irresponsible protesting” in Nigeria. Speaking on News Central Television, Bwala asserted that prior to #EndSARS, protests in the country were organized and structured, whereas the #EndSARS movement lacked such organization.

Bwala acknowledged that while there were instances of misconduct by law enforcement during the protests, the security agencies were primarily focused on maintaining law and order. He emphasized that no police force globally would overlook attempts to disrupt societal order. He stated, “#EndSARS was the beginning and the foundation of irresponsible protesting. Before #EndSARS, all the protests that we had in the country were organized. That’s why they were called organized protests.”

Reflecting on the government’s response, Bwala noted that despite not suppressing the protesters, there were unfortunate incidents involving law enforcement. He mentioned that a panel was established to investigate these events, which subsequently released its findings. However, he criticized certain media outlets, particularly CNN, for allegedly disseminating exaggerated reports based on misinformation.

The #EndSARS movement, which lasted over two weeks in 2020, emerged as a nationwide protest against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police accused of widespread brutality and corruption. The protests culminated in a tragic incident on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where security forces allegedly opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, leading to international condemnation and denials from Nigerian authorities.

Bwala’s recent comments have reignited discussions about the nature and impact of the #EndSARS protests, as well as the broader implications for civil demonstrations in Nigeria.