On the 20th of October 2020 at around 4 pm, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state. He deployed the state police as demonstrations on police violence were escalating in the state.
“Dear Lagosians, I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society,” Babajide Sanwo-Olu wrote in a tweet as he announced the 4 p.m. (local time) curfew for 24 hours.
End SARS
It’s over two weeks since the onset of protests in Lagos. The residents have demanded the government to end SARs. Many have alleged that the Special Antirobery Unit has violated human rights; harassing, extorting, and torturing innocent citizens. These protests began on 7th October and have degenerated to mayhem. Young groups are also using the protests as a platform to voice out corruption and unemployment in the country.
However, on 11th October, the government had disbanded the special anti-robbery Unit. Despite the government disbanding the anti-robbery unit, the civilians demand protection from the other security forces.
Strikes Render State Unsafe
During the riots, the police claim the protestors attack police stations and personnel. In an attempt to control the situation, the police inspector general of Nigeria deployed anti-riot police forces to protect the public assets and lives of Nigerians. On Monday, the state’s government tweeted that it was closing all schools in Lagos. The government urged students to embark on online learning.
Police Violence
These protests have rendered the state unsafe. Amid the strike, the protestors have suffered injuries as police chase them away. Some have even lost their lives when police open fire at the scenes. Rights Group has stated that since the demonstrations began, up to 15 people have succumbed.
Amnesty International, a human rights group disputes the idea that protestors are responsible for chaos during strikes. The rights group claimed that paid criminals were sabotaging the peaceful strikes and causing mayhem. Currently, Amnesty doesn’t know the actual death toll but from its certain several people have lost their lives.
According to Amnesty, the evidence on police brutality in the country is overwhelming. There were videos of police violence circulating on social media. A 17-year-old succumbed in a police station in Kano after the police tortured him. On the same day, thugs and police attacked protestors and journalists who were in Abuja. They had lynched dozens of vehicles belonging to the demonstrators resulting in the death of three people.
There was also a video of prisoners escaping from Benin correctional center in Edo. Unfortunately, no one knows who staged the breakout. Protestors claimed police organized the escape. However, the police force in Nigeria tweeted that the demonstrators had helped the prisoners escape. The police force alleged that the demonstrators had disarmed the armory then freed the detainees.
Since the surge in chaos amid strikes, the authorities of different states are imposing curfews to ensure the security of the Nigerians and the property. Hoodlums have been disguising themselves as protestors and causing tensions and killing civilians.
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