Nigerians Call for an End to Police Brutality
Nigerian streets are in turmoil as peaceful protests have turned bloody while citizens call for an end to police brutality.
The hashtag ‘#ENDSARS’ has trended for weeks on social media as Nigerians aim to spread awareness due to the lack of accountability from their government.
ENDSARS: Special Anti-Robbery Squad
SARS, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian Police Force, was disbanded after several reports of abuse of power by citizens.
Members and roles of this unit were redeployed, and another unit called ‘SWAT’ was formed.
Citizens revolted because of this and started trending the hashtag ‘#ENDSWAT.’
The Lekki Massacre
On Oct. 20, 2020, the Nigerian Army released fire on unarmed civilians protesting at the Lekki Toll Gate in Victoria Island, Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army publicly denied all claims despite video evidence that had surfaced on the internet.
Citizens called for international intervention and went even harder than they did before. Nigerians took the events to social media and spread them.
News about people who also got missing at the ground of the protest spread on social media days after.
A Revolution
Following these killings, citizens around the nation have begun looting and robbing from house to house. Killings have been reported from house to house in Oyigbo, Rivers State.
Stray bullets have found their way into people’s homes amidst all the havoc. Civilians are afraid to be killed on the streets while casually going about their daily lives.
Citizens are rioting in all states, and law and order are absent. The government is giving citizens little to no response.
Nigerians are tirelessly protesting and have now re-introduced the fight against bad governance. Cities nationwide aren’t spared in the citizens’ struggle to have their message heard.
Nigerian President Addresses Protesters to Threaten Them
President Buhari addresses Nigerians on the #ENDSARS protests
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, addressed the nation on Oct. 22, 2020.
In the president’s speech, he urged protesters to call off the protests and didn’t mention the Lekki massacre.
Curfews have now been put in place in various states around the country.
Although Nigerian citizens fear for their lives is why the streets are no longer filled with protesters, they continue the fight on social media and hope for a better Nigeria.
