INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON #ENDSARS PROTEST ANDTHEDISBANDMENT OF SARS

Abstract

The introduction of social media into information dissemination has undoubtedly broken barriers. The aim of this study is to investigate how Nigerians used social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and the likes to reach out to the world and the government to create awareness on the police brutality in Nigeria with their aim to End the SARS( Special Anti-robbery Squad ) department. This study used primary data gotten from 392 respondents who were selected using the purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The Questionnaire was distributed using Google Forms and a 100% response was gotten. The collected data was analysed and the results presented through tables, frequencies and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that Social media was indeed an integral factor in the Disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, that social media exposed the violence endured by Nigerian citizens to the rest of the globe and social media made the police and SARS to take responsibility for their actions . The study recommended better ways in which the government can make policies that would benefit the citizens of Nigeria some of which are The Government should enforce the Anti-Torture Act 2017 and All Police Of icers should be instructed that all arrests a must be carried out in strict accordance with the approved practices