In October 2020, Nigeria witnessed one of the most significant protest movements in its recent history.
Thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets to demand an end to police brutality and accountability for abuses associated with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). SARS was a federal police unit established to combat robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Over time, however, the unit became notorious for allegations of extortion, arbitrary arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings, particularly against young Nigerians.
The #EndSARS campaign gained momentum in early October 2020 following renewed public outrage over alleged abuses by SARS officers.
On October 8, protests gained traction in Lagos and spread to other parts of the country. For nearly two weeks, young Nigerians organised demonstrations, occupied public spaces and used social media to amplify their demands.
Solidarity protests also took place in cities outside Nigeria. The protests took a devastating turn on October 20, 2020, when soldiers opened fire on demonstrators at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.
The incident resulted in deaths and injuries, although accounts of the casualties and the precise sequence of events have been disputed. It became one of the defining moments of the movement and intensified demands for accountability.
Throughout the protests, women played significant leadership roles. They led demonstrations, mobilised participants, raised and managed funds, provided legal assistance, coordinated medical support and documented events as they unfolded. Their contributions extended beyond the streets, demonstrating that sustaining a protest movement also requires organisation, resources, communication and collective care.
Six years later, as we remember the #EndSARS protests, we look back at some of the women who helped lead, organise, document and sustain the movement.
Aisha Yesufu: Standing Her Ground
Aisha Yesufu is a Nigerian activist, entrepreneur and co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, which emerged in 2014 following the abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram.
Through the campaign, Yesufu became a prominent advocate for accountability, citizens’ rights and government responsibility.
Her involvement in activism did not begin with #EndSARS. Years before the protests, she had participated in demonstrations demanding government action to rescue the abducted schoolgirls.
During #EndSARS, Yesufu became one of the movement’s most recognisable faces. She participated in demonstrations in Abuja, where protesters demanded the disbandment of SARS and an end to police brutality. Beyond her physical presence at the protests, Yesufu used her public platform to challenge political and business leaders to respond to the demands of young Nigerians.
Her participation also reflected her long-standing advocacy for women’s political representation and involvement in decision-making.
Rinu Oduala: Taking the Fight Beyond the Streets
Rinu Oduala is a Nigerian human rights activist, media strategist and social media influencer who became one of the prominent figures in the #EndSARS movement. At 22, she was among the young organisers who mobilised protesters and challenged the government over police brutality.
Following the circulation of videos showing alleged abuses by SARS officers in October 2020, Oduala joined the protests and helped organise a demonstration outside the Lagos State Government House on October 7.
She called for the disbandment of SARS and encouraged young Nigerians to participate in the campaign.
Her role extended beyond the streets. Following the government’s announcement that SARS would be disbanded, Oduala became one of the youth representatives on the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into police brutality.
The panel was established to investigate allegations of abuse and provide a platform for victims to seek accountability.
However, she later withdrew from the panel after disagreeing with its decision to approve the reopening of the Lekki tollgate.
Feminist Coalition: The Women Who Kept the Movement Going
The Feminist Coalition, popularly known as FemCo, was one of the major organisations supporting the #EndSARS movement. Founded in July 2020 by a group of Nigerian feminists, the coalition was established to advance gender equality through education, financial freedom and women’s political representation.
Although FemCo existed before the protests, it became widely known for organising financial and logistical support for demonstrators.
The coalition raised funds from Nigerians and supporters around the world. The money supported essential services, including legal representation for arrested protesters, medical bills for injured demonstrators, food and refreshments, and security arrangements at protest locations.
Following the violence at the Lekki tollgate, the coalition’s efforts also focused on assisting injured protesters and supporting people and families affected by police brutality.
When its traditional donation channels reportedly became inaccessible, FemCo continued receiving contributions through Bitcoin. Its ability to adapt demonstrated how digital tools could help sustain a decentralised movement when organisers encountered obstacles.
The women associated with the coalition brought different professional skills and experiences to the movement.
Here are some of the women: Damilola Odufuwa Odunayo Eweniyi, Ire Aderinokun, Layo Ogunbanw, Ozzy Etomi, Jola Ayeye, Kiki Mordi, Fakhrriyyah Hashim, Laila Johnson-Salami, Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi.
DJ Switch: Documenting the Night at Lekki Tollgate
Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, is a Nigerian disc jockey, musician and songwriter who became internationally recognised for documenting events at the Lekki tollgate during the #EndSARS protests.
Before the protests, DJ Switch had established a career in the entertainment industry. She gained national recognition after winning the first edition of the Glo X Factor West Africa music competition in 2013 and continued working as a DJ and recording artist.
On the evening of October 20, 2020, she was at the Lekki tollgate when soldiers arrived at the protest ground. She livestreamed events on Instagram, documenting the confusion, gunfire and attempts by protesters to assist people who had been injured.
The livestream allowed thousands of people who were not at the scene to follow events as they unfolded. It also attracted international attention at a time when accounts of what happened at the tollgate were being disputed.
DJ Switch spoke publicly about what she witnessed and challenged official accounts of the incident.
Her livestream became an important part of the public record of that night and demonstrated how social media and citizen journalism could document alleged abuses in real time.
Modupe Odele: Providing Legal Support to Protesters
Modupe Odele is a Nigerian lawyer and technology and startup legal professional who became one of the notable figures providing legal support during the #EndSARS protests. She was also a member of the Feminist Coalition.
As demonstrations spread across Nigeria, protesters faced arrests and detention, creating an urgent need for legal representation. Odele worked with other lawyers and organisers to connect detained protesters with legal assistance and coordinate support for people whose rights had allegedly been violated.
Her work formed part of a wider network of volunteers providing legal aid across different states. These efforts helped protesters access representation and ensured that the movement’s support system extended beyond the streets.
Odele’s involvement attracted attention in November 2020, when her passport was seized by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as she prepared to travel to the Maldives for her birthday.
She said she was not given a clear explanation for the action. Her passport was returned eight days later.
Feyikemi “FK” Abudu: Mobilising Support Behind the Scenes
Feyikemi Abudu, popularly known as FK, is a Nigerian entrepreneur, podcaster and social media personality known for co-hosting I Said What I Said with Jola Ayeye.
During #EndSARS, Abudu used her online presence to draw attention to police brutality and help mobilise practical support for protesters. As demonstrations spread across the country, reports of arrests and injuries created an urgent need for legal representation, medical treatment, food and other essentials.
Abudu worked with other volunteers and organisers to raise and distribute funds for these needs, including support for arrested demonstrators.
Her involvement formed part of the wider network of people connecting donations with urgent requests for assistance. Social media helped organisers circulate information about arrests, identify people who needed help and coordinate responses across different locations.
The Women Behind the Movement
The women who participated in #EndSARS did not all lead in the same way. Some, like Aisha Yesufu, became recognised for their physical presence at demonstrations.
Others, including Rinu Oduala, combined street mobilisation with public advocacy and engagement with formal accountability processes.
Six years after #EndSARS, the movement remains an important reference point in Nigeria’s conversations about police accountability, youth mobilisation and civic participation.
The women who helped lead and sustain it remind us that collective action depends not only on those whose images become symbols of a movement, but also on the networks, skills and labour that make sustained resistance possible.
