Nigerians on Thursday on the streets of lagos and abuja protested against brutality and extra-judicial killings by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police.
The protesters stormed police headquarters in Abuja and Lagos with placards written #Endsars, ‘Nigeria police stop killing us’, and ‘say no to brutal injustice’ among others.
On Wednesday, the protest kicked off with youths gathering at Ikeja Underbridge which would hold on for three days.
The second day of the protest in Lagos was led by Afropop Artists Runtown and Falz as they are seeking the end of the SARS unit of the Nigeria Police Force over cases of harassment and threat by its personnel.
“We are here to let our intention to be known that we do not want Sars anymore,” Falz said.
“They come with all sort of stories about reform what they are allowed and what they are not allowed to do but it is about time to completely abolish sars, that is why we are here.”
However, in Abuja, the protesters are requesting for the the reformation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad emcompasses the force headquarters.
Aside the artistes contribution to the protest, the protesters in Abuja were also led by Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore and Activist Aisha Yusufu sat on the Shehu Shagari Way, with placards of the same inscription #EndSars and #EndSARSnow.
Such brutality and killings of the anticrime squad have also been condemned by celebrities and politicians who have also called for a total scrap of the police unit.
“I strongly condemn their cruel actions against our people,” Atiku, Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007 said.
“I urge the government to rise to the occasion and nip this monstrosity in the bud with the seriousness it deserves.
“It’s expedient that the activities of SARS are reviewed to ensure that the rogue elements are excised from the unit and sanity returned to its operations.”
Nevertheless,the Nigerian police says such acts contradict its responsibility to protect citizens and tactical squads no long have the right to stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, and so on.
Nigerian youths are mostly affected by the brutality and have on several occasions tended the call for the scrapping of SARS with many sharing their experiences on Twitter.
