Alvan Journal of Social Sciences (AJSS)

ISSN: 1595-5842 | E-ISSN: 3043-5463 | DOI Registered with Crossref | Google Indexed

A scholarly platform for interdisciplinary research in governance, procurement, sustainability, education, development studies, environmental management, logistics, and the wider social sciences.

← Volume 3, Issue 2 Contents

LETHAL REPRESSION AND ITS IMPACT ON CIVIL SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY

Sunny Nnabuihe Nwachukwu; Henry Nkem Emenonye; Josephine Chikodi Anyika &

Journal: Alvan Journal of Social Sciences
Volume/Issue: 3(2), 2026
Pages: 288-302
DOI: 10.67638/ajss-2026-v3-i2-024
Keywords: Lethal repression, end SARS, civil society, impact assessment.
Corresponding author: Sunny Nnabuihe Nwachukwu,
Email: sunnynwachukwunna@gmail.com

Download PDF Open DOI

Abstract

The End SARS protests of October 2020 in Nigeria represented a pivotal moment in the nation’s socio-political landscape, as thousands of predominantly young Nigerians mobilized to demand the dissolution of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit infamous for extrajudicial killings, extortion, and widespread human rights abuses. This paper examines the lethal repression of these protests, with a particular focus on the violent crackdown at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 20, 2020, where security forces killed at least 12 peaceful protesters, marking a tragic escalation in state-citizen tensions. Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of primary and secondary sources, including reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution, as well as survivor testimonies and social media documentation, this study investigates the multifaceted impacts of state violence on Nigerian civil society. It explores how the brutal response undermined civic engagement, eroded public trust in state institutions, and posed significant challenges to democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The findings reveal a deepening trust deficit between the government and its citizens, the suppression of youth-led activism through intimidation and arbitrary detentions, and a broader chilling effect on freedom of expression and assembly. Furthermore, the paper assesses the resilience of civil society in the face of repression, highlighting ongoing advocacy efforts and the global amplification of the End SARS movement. By situating the protests within Nigeria’s broader socio-political context, this study underscores the long-term implications of lethal repression for democratic development, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability, institutional reforms, and inclusive governance to restore civic trust and foster a vibrant civil society in Nigeria.

Citation

Sunny Nnabuihe Nwachukwu; Henry Nkem Emenonye; Josephine Chikodi Anyika & (2026). LETHAL REPRESSION AND ITS IMPACT ON CIVIL SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY. Alvan Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 288-302. https://doi.org/10.67638/ajss-2026-v3-i2-024

Alvan Journal of Social Sciences (AJSS)

Editorial Integrity

Selected Articles

Transparency and Accountability in Public Procurement

Urban Mass Transit and Socio-Economic Development in Abuja

Library-Led Open Access Publishing and Scholarly Communication

Editorial Leadership

Prof. Ngozi Casmir Ebomuche

Dr. Ambrose O. Abaneme

Editorial Board

Guide

Publication Ethics

Author Guide

Explore social sciences

LETHAL REPRESSION AND ITS IMPACT ON CIVIL SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Citation

Understanding social dynamics in urban areas

Call for Papers

Everyday is a winding road