Should We Be Expecting #EndSARS 2.0?
Public anger is once again reaching a boiling point following the killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Delta State, an incident that has reignited national outrage over persistent police brutality in Nigeria.
A viral video circulating widely online shows Ogidi pleading for his life moments before he was shot in broad daylight by an officer identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman. The disturbing footage has triggered fresh calls for accountability and reform, with many Nigerians questioning whether the country is sliding back into the very conditions that sparked the historic EndSARS protests.
Police authorities have defended the operation, claiming it was based on intelligence linking Ogidi to a parcel allegedly containing a firearm and ammunition. However, for many citizens, this justification rings hollow in the face of what appears to be an extrajudicial killing captured on camera.
Across social media and civil society spaces, the reaction has been swift and furious. Nigerians are not only mourning another life lost but are expressing deep frustration over what they see as a pattern of unchecked abuse by law enforcement. The sense of déjà vu is palpable—echoing the grievances that fueled mass protests in 2020 against the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Despite promises of reform in the aftermath of EndSARS, including the establishment of judicial panels and commitments to police accountability, many Nigerians argue that little has changed in practice. Incidents like this continue to erode public trust and reinforce the perception that justice remains elusive.
Human rights advocates warn that the growing anger, particularly among young people, could once again spill into the streets if decisive action is not taken. The question now dominating public discourse is not just about justice for Mene Ogidi, but whether Nigeria is on the brink of another nationwide uprising.
As outrage builds, attention is turning to the authorities: Will there be a transparent investigation? Will those responsible be held accountable? Or will this case, like many before it, fade without consequence?
For a nation still grappling with the scars of EndSARS, the stakes could not be higher.
Blessing Anolaba
Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.
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