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Protesters in Nigeria’s commercial center, Lagos, are on the second day of a sit-in campaign calling on the government to eliminate a notorious police unit accused by many of brutality.
The protesters, mostly young, spent Thursday night in front of the government house in Alausa, Ikeja and refused to leave despite government officials speaking with them.
The state governor, Babajide Sanw-Olu, who had promised “appropriate” and “swift” action to resolve the harassment and extrajudicial killings the police unit is accused of, was in neighboring Ondo state, where local elections will be held on Saturday.
The protesters have been sharing photos and videos of the Thursday night sit-in:
It’s morning !!! Some of us couldn’t close our eyes. We get up this morning again! Join wherever you are and let your voices be heard too!#EndPoliceBrutality #EndSARSProtest #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/66pAOXmHRq
– KAMSI 🇳🇬 #Endsars (@RealKamsi) October 9, 2020
The Speaker has finished addressing the youth and is heading to the House of Assembly building.
The time is 12:25 AM. #EndSarsNow #EndSARSprotests #LagosProtestas #EndSARSImmediately pic.twitter.com/o4rHoh0oSt
– Somto 🇳🇬🚨 (@SomtoSocial) October 8, 2020
Protesters resumed their peaceful sit-in on Friday with planned demonstrations that accelerated in nearby Oyo state and in the capital Abuja.
Thursday’s peaceful protest had started during the day, led by popular Afrobeat musicians Falz and Runtown, who called on the government to eliminate the police unit.
Our message is clear. Today was very quiet and the authorities know what to do to keep the peace. LOVE everyone who came today! It was really inspiring to see so many celebrities and young people join the movement. It is important that we are together. pic.twitter.com/6POb3IEphn
– Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) October 8, 2020
The Nigerian Inspector General of Police had prohibited the unit from conducting arrest and searching and barricading when tempers boiled over the routine harassment and atrocities allegedly committed by its officers.
Mohammed Adamu also said that members of the Special Anti-Theft Squad (Sars) should always wear uniforms, but Nigerians want the Sars to be disbanded.
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