Five years on from Nigeria's #EndSARS protests, many victims are still waiting for justice.
The nationwide demonstrations against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) began as a call for reform and accountability within the country's security forces. Thousands of young Nigerians participated in the two-week long protest, waving green and white national flags and singing the national anthem.
However, the peaceful protests were met with violent responses from the security forces, including live rounds fired at crowds across protest venues nationwide.
Agbeze Ifeanyi Matthew, a 35-year-old content creator, narrowly escaped with his life after being shot by the military on October 20, 2020. He was one of 48 casualties, including a dozen people killed, during the Lekki massacre.
Five years later, Matthew remains in perpetual pain but also frustration due to the lack of justice served. His injuries from the shooting are still causing him distress and he is unable to afford surgery for his fractured ribs, which continue to be a major source of pain.
The #EndSARS protests were marked by widespread accusations of brutality, unwarranted arrests, and bribery. The government has established panels of inquiry into compensation for victims of SARS-related abuses as well as security forces' violations during the protests, but many Nigerians say justice has not been served.
In Ogbomoso, a city northeast of Lagos, the family of 21-year-old Jimoh Isiaka – who was shot dead in the protests – continues to grapple with his loss. The governor's visit after the shooting did little to ease their suffering, and the government has yet to provide any meaningful compensation for his death.
For many Nigerians, justice is difficult to accept when those responsible for the violence are still at large. Lai Mohammed, then minister of information and culture, called the October 20 Lekki shooting a "phantom massacre," but evidence suggested otherwise.
The #EndSARS protests highlighted deep institutional weaknesses within Nigeria's security forces and government. The protests showed that policing has not improved since the disbandment of SARS, with many Nigerians saying they have been subjected to abuse by security personnel.
As another October approaches, many are once again reminded of their trauma. For Agbeze Ifeanyi Matthew, this month is a painful reminder of his ordeal five years ago. He fears he won't be able to sleep well because it is a time when he is reminded of his injuries and the lack of justice served.
Nigeria's victims of #EndSARS protest violence are still waiting for justice, five years on.
The nationwide demonstrations against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) began as a call for reform and accountability within the country's security forces. Thousands of young Nigerians participated in the two-week long protest, waving green and white national flags and singing the national anthem.
However, the peaceful protests were met with violent responses from the security forces, including live rounds fired at crowds across protest venues nationwide.
Agbeze Ifeanyi Matthew, a 35-year-old content creator, narrowly escaped with his life after being shot by the military on October 20, 2020. He was one of 48 casualties, including a dozen people killed, during the Lekki massacre.
Five years later, Matthew remains in perpetual pain but also frustration due to the lack of justice served. His injuries from the shooting are still causing him distress and he is unable to afford surgery for his fractured ribs, which continue to be a major source of pain.
The #EndSARS protests were marked by widespread accusations of brutality, unwarranted arrests, and bribery. The government has established panels of inquiry into compensation for victims of SARS-related abuses as well as security forces' violations during the protests, but many Nigerians say justice has not been served.
In Ogbomoso, a city northeast of Lagos, the family of 21-year-old Jimoh Isiaka – who was shot dead in the protests – continues to grapple with his loss. The governor's visit after the shooting did little to ease their suffering, and the government has yet to provide any meaningful compensation for his death.
For many Nigerians, justice is difficult to accept when those responsible for the violence are still at large. Lai Mohammed, then minister of information and culture, called the October 20 Lekki shooting a "phantom massacre," but evidence suggested otherwise.
The #EndSARS protests highlighted deep institutional weaknesses within Nigeria's security forces and government. The protests showed that policing has not improved since the disbandment of SARS, with many Nigerians saying they have been subjected to abuse by security personnel.
As another October approaches, many are once again reminded of their trauma. For Agbeze Ifeanyi Matthew, this month is a painful reminder of his ordeal five years ago. He fears he won't be able to sleep well because it is a time when he is reminded of his injuries and the lack of justice served.
Nigeria's victims of #EndSARS protest violence are still waiting for justice, five years on.
5 yrs later & still no justice 4 #EndSARS victims 
I'm so done with all these #EndSARS protests. Like 5 years in and people are still getting shot by security forces? What even is the point of protesting if you're just gonna get killed? 
And now they're saying justice hasn't been served? Get over it, Nigeria! You're a country, not a soap opera. The government's all like "oh no, we didn't do anything wrong" but I call BS. It's always easier to point fingers than take responsibility. 
This is just heartbreaking to read. 5 yrs have passed but still no justice for those who lost loved ones or were injured in these protests 
. It's so frustrating that the gov't has established panels of inquiry but not everyone feels like justice has been served 
. I mean, can you imagine being shot by the military and still having to deal with perpetual pain? 
It's just not right that Agbeze is still waiting for surgery for his fractured ribs 5 yrs later 
. The gov't needs to do more than just talk about it. They need to take real action to ensure those responsible are held accountable 
. It's time for some serious change in Nigeria 
It's like, we know that the system is broken, so why are we still expecting things to be okay? 
it's crazy how some ppl can downplay the violence like Lai Mohammed did & get away with it 
meanwhile, people like Agbeze Ifeanyi Matthew are still sufferin from physical & mental trauma 5 yrs on... it's just not right 
justice needs to be served for these ppl who lost loved ones or got hurt 
Five yrs on from #EndSARS protests & many ppl like Agbeze Ifeanyi Matthew r stil waitin 4 justice 
#JusticeForEndSARSVictims #AccountabilityMatters
. Military brutality & lack of accountability 
, compensation 
, & answers 
. Justice is not served yet 
It's astonishing that five years have passed since Nigeria witnessed the #EndSARS protests and yet, many victims like Agbeze Ifeanyi Matthew are still dealing with the physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon them. The lack of accountability and justice served is not only infuriating but also a testament to the deep-seated institutional weaknesses within Nigeria's security forces and government. 
. The Lekki massacre was a pivotal moment in this saga, and it's disheartening to see that justice has not been served yet 
.