4 Years On: Chronicling Our Success in Promoting Human Rights and Combating Police Brutality

In the wake of the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, Nigeria witnessed a pivotal moment in its democratic history. The decentralised social movement against police brutality sparked an essential national conversation about fundamental human rights. This mass movement was the direct fallout of persistent human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings perpetrated predominantly by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)—a police unit originally established to combat robbery, kidnapping, and associated violent crimes.

As the protests gained momentum, they evolved into a broader call for institutional reform, tackling systemic issues like corruption, inequality, and oppressive governance frameworks. In the midst of this backdrop, Onelife Initiative collaborated with a coalition of like-minded organisations to launch the “You Matter in this Matter” campaign. This piece chronicles our success story, highlighting our collective impact and the progress made in promoting human rights and combating police brutality in Nigeria.

The Genesis: Launching the “You Matter in this Matter” Campaign

While security agencies play a vital role in maintaining community safety, citizens must understand how to engage properly with law enforcement officers who hold a monopoly on the use of force, particularly during volatile situations. Developing this understanding allows communities to navigate tense encounters safely and ensure their constitutional rights are preserved.

The “You Matter in this Matter” campaign focused directly on empowering youths and women to interact safely and productively with government security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force. Recognizing the urgent need to support young people navigating these security challenges, we disseminated vital civic information and educational resources across a wide array of public channels, including radio stations, newspapers, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Our public campaigns delved into pressing issues such as civil rights, human rights violations, and conflict management. Key areas of focus included:

• Civil Rights & Injustices: Detailed educational break-downs of constitutional protections against unlawful treatment.
• Inclusive Budgeting: Analyzing the inclusion of marginalized groups in the budgeting process as a structural tool to forestall civil unrest.

As a core milestone of the campaign, we organised a two-day sensitization programme designed to bridge communication gaps. On the first day, we gathered young citizens to discuss their direct experiences with security personnel, mapping out the challenges they encounter and the root causes of systemic harassment. On the second day, we brought youth representatives and members of various security agencies into the same room. This safe space allowed youths to present their grievances directly, while security officials provided answers, fostering a rare atmosphere of mutual dialogue, shared understanding, and collaborative solutions.

Additionally, we launched an interactive 12-week radio call-in program. Spanning 11 high-impact episodes, this program amplified our core messaging from diverse perspectives, successfully broadcasting critical human rights education to a broad and diverse audience. To complement these public efforts, we led targeted advocacy visits to key institutional stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Public Complaints Commission, the Amotekun Corps, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Tangible Impact: A Success Story of Accountability in Ibadan

To ensure our advocacy yielded practical results, Onelife Initiative established a dedicated toll-free reporting line. This platform provided a secure channel for youths, women, and persons with special needs to report human rights violations or submit commendations for exemplary security operatives.

The profound necessity of this framework was quickly validated by a steady stream of incoming reports. In one notable case, three young Nigerians were wrongfully arrested, detained, and mistreated by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Ibadan over an alleged phone theft.

Impact Milestone

Upon receiving the report through our pipeline, Onelife Initiative intervened alongside relevant human rights agencies. Our joint advocacy led to a successful resolution: the victims were released, received a formal apology from the police division, and secured a full refund of their extorted bail fees. For highly complex cases outside our immediate operational scope, we worked in close collaboration with trusted independent media bodies, such as the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

Four years down the line, we reflect on these achievements with immense pride. Our campaign contributed substantially to the national dialogue surrounding police reform and the protection of human rights in Nigeria. We have successfully equipped numerous youths and women with the civic skills necessary to engage confidently with security agencies.

The Identified Pathway: The Campaign’s Institutional Reporting Guide

Following the successful completion of our campaign active phases, Onelife Initiative compiled a simplified directory of pathways. This resource was designed to serve as a practical guide for youths and ordinary citizens on how to report fundamental rights abuses to the appropriate regulatory frameworks.

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Channels

When undergoing an arrest, do not physically resist. Focus on observing and memorizing key operational details: officer descriptions, name tags, vehicle identification numbers, location, and the exact time of day. If it can be done safely, document audio or video evidence. At the station, if you believe your case is being handled unfairly, firmly request to see the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) or the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO). DPO contact numbers are frequently displayed publicly on precinct walls.

If local resolution fails, escalate the issue to state or national oversight bodies:

• Oyo State Police Control Room: 08081768614 | 07055495413 | 08068122698
• Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit: 08034544444 (Calls) | 09055555463 (Calls/SMS) | 09134445465 (WhatsApp)
• Monitoring Feedback Email: igpmonitoringfeedback@gmail.com

Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

The NSCDC is a proactive government agency empowered to manage civil disorder, communal disputes, and critical infrastructure protection. The corps maintains a functional presence across all Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. Complaints regarding rights violations by NSCDC officers can be escalated directly to the local Divisional Officer (D.O.) handling human rights abuses.

• Oyo State NSCDC Public Relations Desk: 07063848338 | 08109757687

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

The NHRC provides entirely free legal assistance, mediation services, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) pathways for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and unlawful state detention. Because the NHRC holds a strict statutory mandate, resolutions brokered by the commission carry the legal weight of a High Court judgment and can only be appealed at the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court level.

• Oyo State NHRC Office: 08143100620
• Physical Location: Federal Secretariat, Ikolaba, Ibadan.

Public Complaint Commission (PCC)

The PCC functions as a federally funded administrative ombudsman with wide-reaching authority to investigate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private corporate organizations. They intervene directly in cases of unlawful detention by security agencies, employment salary breaches, retention of pensions, and academic misconduct (such as sex-for-marks). Formal complaints must include comprehensive documentation addressed to the Chief Commissioner.

• Oyo State Director Contact Line: 08066362999
• Director of Private Sector Investigations: 08037194257
• Regional Area Offices: Saki, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Onireke.

Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps)

The Amotekun Corps serves as the localized state security outfit in Oyo State. Operatives are legally restricted from intervening in private civil matters. Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to internal accountability, approximately 70 operatives were relieved of their duties or prosecuted between November 2020 and June 2022 for operational misconduct and human rights violations.

• Amotekun Public Complaints Line: 07038425918

While we recognize that extensive work remains to be done in the areas of social justice and civil liberties in Nigeria, our four-year retrospective demonstrates the power of structured, collective action. Onelife Initiative remains resolute in our core mission to improve the overall well-being of young people and defend human rights.

Securing these rights is an ongoing, shared responsibility; while local initiatives create immediate safety networks, the federal government must remain an active partner in long-term police reform, as the overarching apparatus for national security remains concentrated in their hands. As we move forward, we continue to focus on amplifying vulnerable voices and inspiring a future where every individual is treated with absolute dignity and respect.