Some youths in Lagos state have commenced a three-day protest to call for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.
The protest is part of the push for the reform of the police system to put an end to the extra-judicial activities of the agency.
On Wednesday, they marched to the Force Headquarters, Ikeja, through the Computer Village, Under Bridge, carrying placards with various inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read ‘Protect not exploit’, ‘Nigeria police stop killing us’, and ‘say no to brutal injustice’ among others
The protesters said the action will hold from Wednesday through Friday adding that they will also march to the Lagos State Government House.
The youths in a signed petition said despite several reforms announced by the Inspector General of Police;
CASES OF ABUSE OF CITIZENS BY OPERATIVES OF THE SPECIAL ANIT-ROBBERY SQUAD HAVE INCREASED WITHOUT ANY STEPS TAKEN BY THE HIGH COMMAND OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE TO ADDRESS THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM OF IMPUNITY OF THE SPECIAL ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD.
They, therefore, demand the total disbandment of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
According to one of the organisers of the protest, the demands of the demonstrators include;
THE NEED FOR THE TRANSPARENT PROSECUTION OF ALL OFFICERS INVOLVED IN EXTRA-JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES, JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS THE CALL FOR THE POLICE TO HAVE A LIST OF OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND CULPABLE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES.
Other demands are;
PUBLIC ENQUIRY ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNIT IN THE PAST ONE YEAR, COMPENSATION TO BE GIVEN TO VERIFIABLE VICTIMS BOTH DEAD AND ALIVE, TAGS ON ALL POLICEMEN WITH NAMES AND JOB DETAILS, NO POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE FOUND IN CIVIL WEAR WHILE ON DUTY WITH A GUN, POLICE SHOULD STOP GOING AROUND IN UNIDENTIFIABLE CARS OR BUSES AND DIGITAL MEDIUMS FOR TRACKING CASES WITH THE POLICE.
See some photos and videos of protesters below;
#LagosProtests is happening
Your celebrities are chickening out but we are tired of being murdered#EndSARSProtests #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/C7DGjIXQRn— Salman👑 (@NotJustSalmanPR) October 7, 2020
HAPPENING NOW#LagosProtests right now in Computer Village heading towards the Lagos State Police Command HQ in GRA #MainlandThisMorning pic.twitter.com/BlSNOY5aql
— Inside Mainland (@InsideMainland) October 7, 2020
They want to silence us #LagosProtests https://t.co/BbXrtTg3FL
— Dehkunle of Africa 💧🐐 (@Dehkunle) October 7, 2020
