The International Criminal Court (ICC) said it has opened a preliminary inquiry into the demonstrations against harassment and brutality by the police in Nigeria.
Reports by the BBC said the ICC had received information on alleged crimes during the #EndSARS campaign protests.
In October, many Nigerians took to the streets across states to call for an end to police brutality, disbandment of the police Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), justice, and compensation for victims.
The ICC said the inquiry will begin with “whether the legal criteria for opening an investigation under the Rome Statute are met.”
The development is coming after a number of civil society organizations (CSO) threatened to report some heads of security agencies to the ICC over the conduct of their personnel during the demonstrations, popularly called #EndSARS protests.
Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), in response to the protests, announced the dissolution of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) — a unit that had been accused of extrajudicial killings.
However, Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai,has since dismissed the threats to report him and some heads of security agencies to the ICC and other international authorities.
“They have continually threatened to report the NA to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also threatened various forms of sanctions against personnel and their families,”
Buratai said.
“Criminal elements are threatening us with travel ban but we are not worried because we must remain in this country to make it better.”
