PRESS STATEMENT by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity)
On the 5th Anniversary of the #EndSARS Protests
October 20, 2025
Five years after the historic #EndSARS protests, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) joins millions of Nigerians to remember the young men and women who lost their lives or suffered injuries in the struggle against police brutality and impunity.
The tragic events of October 20, 2020, particularly at the Lekki Tollgate and other flashpoints, remain a painful reminder of the high cost of demanding justice and accountability in Nigeria. On this solemn anniversary, we honour the courage of all who stood for truth, human rights, and good governance, and reaffirm that their sacrifices must never be forgotten.
The Right to Peaceful Protest Must Be Protected
Five years on, the lessons of #EndSARS appear unlearned. The continuing heavy-handed police response to peaceful civic demonstrations, including the ongoing protests in Abuja and other parts of the country demanding the release of the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, suggests that Nigeria is yet to internalize the fundamental principles of democracy.
The National Association of Seadogs reiterates that the right to peaceful protest and free expression is constitutionally guaranteed and must be respected at all times. While law enforcement agencies have a duty to maintain public order, this responsibility must be exercised with professionalism, restraint, and respect for human rights.
We urge the Nigeria Police Force to adopt a new posture of engagement, one that emphasizes dialogue, empathy, and accountability, rather than intimidation and violence. A democratic society thrives when its citizens can speak and assemble freely without fear of retribution.
Revisit the #EndSARS Reform Agenda
The promises made in the wake of the 2020 protests — including police reform, justice for victims, and compensation for affected families — remain largely unfulfilled. Reports of judicial panels set up across states are gathering dust, while victims and their families continue to wait in vain for closure.
We call on the Federal and State Governments to revisit the #EndSARS reform agenda with sincerity and urgency, by ensuring:
Full implementation of panel reports and recommendations.
Prosecution of officers indicted for human rights abuses; Transparent compensation for verified victims; and genuine reforms in police recruitment, training, welfare, and oversight.
Five years after the nation’s youth took to the streets with hope and courage, Nigeria must demonstrate that their sacrifices were not in vain.
On presidential clemency:
The National Association of Seadogs notes the recent presidential pardon granted to certain categories of convicts, with the process of release currently underway. While clemency is a constitutional prerogative that can serve as a tool for compassion and reconciliation, it must never become a refuge for those who undermined public trust or abused positions of power.
We therefore urge President Bola Tinubu and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to re-examine the list of beneficiaries before the release process is concluded, to ensure that individuals convicted of serious corruption, abuse of office, or crimes against the people do not benefit from such magnanimity.
A fair and transparent review of the clemency list will demonstrate the administration’s commitment to justice, equity, and moral integrity — values at the heart of the Renewed Hope agenda.
As the nation marks the fifth anniversary of #EndSARS, we must collectively recommit to building a Nigeria where justice is not selective, where law enforcement serves rather than subdues, and where the voices of the youth are seen as instruments of progress, not threats to authority.
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) stands in solidarity with all citizens striving for a just and accountable society. We call on the government, civil society, and all stakeholders to work together to entrench a culture of respect for human rights, transparency, and rule of law.
The memory of October 20, 2020, must continue to inspire our pursuit of a nation where freedom, justice, and dignity are not privileges but rights enjoyed by all.
Dr. Joseph Oteri
NAS Cap’n (National President)
National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity)
October 20, 2025
