NIGERIA: CAPPA Demands Apology, Compensation For EndSARS Victims

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Federal and Lagos State governments to apologise for the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting and compensate victims of the #EndSARS protests.

The civil society organisation made the demand in a statement marking the sixth anniversary of the protests, calling for independent investigations, the prosecution of security personnel responsible for abuses and comprehensive police reforms.

CAPPA also urged political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to include justice for victims of the protests in their campaign promises.

The organisation recalled that the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry described the Lekki incident as a “massacre in context” and implicated the Nigerian Army and police in the deaths and injuries recorded during the crackdown.

It further called for the full implementation of a July 2024 judgment by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, which found Nigeria liable for violating protesters’ fundamental rights and ordered compensation and fresh investigations.

CAPPA also renewed its call for justice for journalist Pelumi Onifade, who died after being arrested by Lagos State Task Force personnel in October 2020 while covering protest-related events.

The group said an autopsy confirmed that Onifade died from a gunshot wound, urging authorities to prosecute those responsible for his death.

Expressing concern over continued allegations of police brutality, the organisation cited reported abuses at Tiger Base, an anti-kidnapping unit of the Imo State Police Command, as well as the security response to the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, which it said resulted in at least 24 deaths nationwide.

The group warned that the establishment of state police alone would not address Nigeria’s policing challenges without effective accountability mechanisms and sanctions for officers who abuse their powers.

Among its recommendations, CAPPA called for mandatory body-worn cameras for frontline police officers, the withdrawal of outstanding charges against individuals prosecuted solely for peaceful protests, and the designation of the Lekki Toll Gate as a national historic memorial.

It also advocated a national justice and reparations programme, including the payment of outstanding compensation and the provision of medical and psychological support for survivors.

CAPPA maintained that addressing the grievances of #EndSARS victims was necessary to ensure accountability and prevent future abuses by security agencies.