ASSESSING POLICE BRUTALITY AND PERCEPTION OF YOUTHS' USAGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Abstract In light of the ENDSARS protest movement that occurred in 2020, there is clear distinction between the duties of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the actions in which they execute. For a very long time the NPF has had its powers unchecked as police brutality has become one of the main social issues in the country over the years, this has caused an outcry and revolution from the citizens but in more recent times social media has become the major communication tool to spare head the campaign against police brutality in Nigeria. Based on this the research study employed descriptive survey research design; and adopted purposive non-probability sampling technique. The Taro Yamane formula was used to arrive at a sample size of 253.The research instrument used is a self-developed structured questionnaire. It was developed in line with the research objectives and is based on 5-Likert-type scale questionnaire structure. The finding showed that social media is a very effective communication tool being used in the fight against police brutality. The study recommended that the Police Force should be properly trained on relations with civilian on how to handle criminality without necessarily engaging in brutality. The study conclusion reflected on how important social media has been in the fight against police brutality and how it has become more than a social networking platform rather a platform for activism and campaign against police brutality.