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State Anti-Robbery Squad operations and restructuring in Nigeria: Semiotics of the #EndSARS protests

State Anti-Robbery Squad operations and restructuring in Nigeria: Semiotics of the #EndSARS protests

Authors :
Nnennaya Uchendu Ola
Source :
IKENGA Journal of Institute of African Studies. 22:82-113
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies, 2021.

Abstract

End State Anti-Robbery Squad (#EndSARS) protests represent symptoms of systemic issues in Nigeria. Those issues range from ideological differences of the various ethnic nationalities to the constitutional and structural imbalance in the political and economic equation. This paper attempts to put in perspective the implications of the over-centralisation of both political and economic powers. To do this, this research examines the events leading up to the #EndSARS protest, as well as the various signs and symbols emanating from the #EndSARS movement. Semiotics Theory is employed as conceptual framework and methodology to highlight the factors that ail Nigeria at the systemic level. Semioticians engage in a search for deep structures underlying the surface features of phenomena. With Semiotic theory as framework, this paper takes seriously the social conditions that led to the #EndSARS Protests, not neglecting the role of ideologies. The research has the potential to make useful contributions to both academic and socio-political cum economic knowledge for a meaningful national dialogue among contesting ethnic groups in Africa.

Details

ISSN :
27144321 and 20064241
Volume :
22
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
IKENGA Journal of Institute of African Studies
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........a8d775eb8e83a31add2797d89c264a88
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.53836/ijia/2021/22/2/005