For weeks, demonstrations in Nigeria against police violence has sparked mixed reactions. Tensions have been escalating in the country as protestors and police clash during the strikes. The protests began in early October after people saw a video of police abusing a young man. Many Nigerians were outraged by this act and started demonstrating.
They demanded the government to disband SARs alleging it was responsible for torture, extortion, and extrajudicial killings in the country. It was not long before the government replaced the unit with SWAT. Despite the government disbanding SARS, the strikes kept surging. The protestors demanded justice. They voiced out on the corruption and condemned the sovereign body for its poor governance.
However, the protests degenerated into a monster when people saw footages of police shooting at peaceful demonstrators online. This incident infuriated many. As such, countries across the globe joined in protests and promised to march in solidarity with Nigeria. The African Union, UN, ECOWAS, and prominent leaders condemned the Nigerian police. They called on President Buhari to take immediate action and resolve the situation.
According to Amnesty International, a total of 56 people died since the protests began in Nigeria. Meanwhile, in the latest shooting, where there were 1000 protestors, 12 people succumbed.
President Buhari Shruggs Off Commentators
During a presidential briefing, the president cautioned people from making comments and judging the government of Nigeria. He recognized some police for their upright behavior and disregarded international concern.
“We thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements,” Buhari said.
Buhari stated that some people were deliberately falsifying information to cause warry among those within and outside Nigeria.
Buhari Warns Protestors
The Nigerian President cautioned the people to end the strikes. He said by continuing with the strikes they were undermining national security.
For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated,” Buhari said.
He appealed to the youths to stop the demonstrations as those encouraging them to keep up the resilience were only using them.
On Friday, the police commander of Lagos cautioned the protestors to stay indoors as police officers were patrolling to ensure safety prevails.
A Coalition Feminist Urges Protestors
After the President gave his speech, A Feminist Coalition asked the protestors to remain in their homes. The coalition acknowledged that the people had endured a lot of hardships. It urged the people to oblige by the curfew rules.
Meanwhile, some protestors insisted that the strike would continue.
“This was just a practice. We go again! Now we must deploy our unity and experiences in every sector to design the country that we want,” said Adetola ‘Tola’ Onayemi, a lawyer involved in the protest movement.
On Thursday, the Lagos governor promised the residents that they were working to stabilize the situation. He also reported that they were prosecuting 21 policemen who were guilty of violating human rights.
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