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Authorities declared a 24-hour curfew in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic center, on Tuesday as violence erupted into widespread protests that rocked cities across the country.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced that only “essential service providers and first responders” could be on the street as of 16:00 (1500 GMT).
“I have watched with surprise how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that threatens the well-being of our society,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and wrongdoers are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash chaos in our state.”
“We will not see and allow anarchy in our beloved state.”
Dear Lagosians,
I have watched with surprise how what began as a #EndSARS the protest has degenerated into a monster that threatens the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost due to criminals and wrongdoers now hiding under the umbrella.
…– Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 20, 2020
The protests that began 12 days ago over abuses by the hated Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS) of the police have skyrocketed dramatically.
Some 18 people have been killed in the demonstrations, as clashes between protesters and plainclothes assailants have been reported.
Lagos, a city of 20 million people, has come to a standstill as crowds have blocked key roads and access to the international airport.
An AFP journalist saw young people occupying makeshift checkpoints and stopping cars on city roads.
They did not carry the banners and posters that have characterized past peaceful protests.
Witnesses told AFP that a police station in the city’s Orile Iganmu district caught fire on Tuesday. They said the police opened fire on the protesters and injured several.
In the capital Abuja on Tuesday, security forces violently dispersed crowds and thick black smoke could be seen over the city, an AFP photographer said.
Tensions rose after reports of three deaths in the city during Monday’s riots.
“The command has launched an investigation into the matter and normality has been restored in the area,” said police spokeswoman Mariam Yusuf.
“However, it was reported that about three people were killed and some cars were damaged.”
There was a strong presence of security forces in a market that sold spare parts where cars and shops had been set on fire on Monday.
Angry young male vendor gangs had done the damage.
Human rights groups and protesters have accused “thugs and sponsored thugs” of attacking peaceful demonstrations and seeking to discredit the movement.
The government announced the dismantling of the SARS unit and a series of reforms more than a week ago in an attempt to placate the protesters.
But many of the young protesters are skeptical of the government’s promises and have started to demand more radical changes.
The authorities have called on the protesters to suspend the demonstrations so that the government has time to fulfill its promises.
Nigeria, where the average age is 18, is a tinderbox of deep economic and social frustrations.
It is estimated that around half of the population of 200 million lives in extreme poverty and unemployment is widespread among young people.
Africa’s largest oil producer is currently facing a recession as falling crude prices triggered by the coronavirus pandemic has hit government finances.
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