Relevance of African Traditional Moral Values in the Justification of Human Rights Violation during the ENDSARS Protest in Nigeria

Abstract

It has been suspected that Nigerian youths have not been happy with the operations of a segment of the Nigerian Police Force known as Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS) for their humiliation and intimidating activities against humans, against their rights in the country. Hence, the enforcement of an EndSARS protest by the young people of Nigeria in the year 2020. The problem this research stresses on in this protest process, is, the emergence of violence between the agents of Nigerian government and the Nigerian youths which led to unlawful destruction of the lives of innocent people and properties. These acts of inhumanity amongst aboriginals of Nigeria is majorly attributed to lack of adequate knowledge and recognition of the relevance of African traditional moral values by the citizens. At anytime the citizens of the country begins to recognize and acquire an adequate knowledge of the relevance of African traditional moral values, such actions will go into extinction or reduce to the barest minimum be the traditional moral values forbid shedding blood and tampering negative to one’s neighbor’s properties. It is in fact, discovered in this article, that dedicated regard to traditional moral values goes to a very far extent in helping to justify that the act of embarking on violent actions affecting majorly, the innocent people during the EndSARS protest were fundamentally human right violation. This study therefore aims at addressing the areas of human right infringements in the EndSARS protest in Nigeria, in 2020. This article employs historical, evolutionist and phenomenological research approaches. Data are organized and sourced from both primary and secondary sources, which include: direct oral interviews, internet materials, textbooks, journals, etc. It is recommended among other things that there should be a pragmatic recognition of African traditional religious and cultural institutions through encouraging and motivating them on the basis of structural and human development. This will enable the citizens to place first in their conscience the African traditional moral values in all they do. The data collected are analysed with descriptive style of data analysis. The research also adopts American Psychological Association (APA)’s style of referencing.