Thousands of people have been taking to the streets of Lagos over the past week to protest against police brutality – and Irianele Virtuous has always been there, always working behind the scenes. Her mission? To support her fellow demonstrators. “My focus is making sure people in these large gatherings don’t get dehydrated,” said the Read More…
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will help train Nigeria’s new tactical force as thousands nationwide continued to march against police brutality and in demand of further reforms, Nigeria’s police inspector general said in a statement on Sunday. Protests began roughly two weeks ago demanding the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Read More…
Nigerians protesting police brutality have hit the streets across Africa’s most populous nation for more than a week, and the hashtag #EndSARS trended on Twitter even after the police promised to dismantle the controversial unit on Oct. 11. What is SARS, what attempts have been made to address police abuses in Nigeria and what do Read More…
Felicia Okpara, one of the ladies assaulted by members of Area C Command of the Nigeria Police at Ojuelegba on Monday recalls that she had the first share of police brutality when she was just 12. I had my first share of police brutality in 2005. I was a minor, I was only 12 years Read More…
Felicia Okpara, a 27 year-old single mum, happened to be among the protesters, who men of the Nigeria Police, Area C Command, were caught on video brutalising. We were able to capture her story. She spoke to Nkanu Egbe. Below is the full text of the interview: LM: Felicia, it’s great to have you this Read More…
Police brutality victim unhappy with the number of police officers in orderly room trial Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, raised a seven-man Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations committed by operatives of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the State. The move Read More…
IGP orders all defunct SARS personnel to report at the Force Headquarters for debriefing, psychological and medical examination Sets up new SWAT unit to replace SARS The Federal Government has affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the #ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed soon. Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Read More…
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari promised on Monday that the government would bring police officers responsible for misconduct to justice, after nearly a week of sustained protests against police brutality that were met by a harsh response. Police opened fire with live ammunition on Monday against anti-police demonstrators in the Surulere district of Lagos, marchers said. Read More…
Concerned citizen raises doubts on IG’s announcement Nigerian Inspector-General of Police (IG) dissolved its Special Anti-Robbery Squad with immediate effect on Sunday, prompted by days of protests across the country against alleged brutality by the controversial unit. The protests broke out after a video circulated last week allegedly showing members of the unit – known Read More…
Lagos Assembly seeks FSARS proscription The Government of Lagos State has advised youths protesting alleged brutality by operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) – an operational outfit in the Police Force – to be civil, as they demonstrated in the State to express their grievances. Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on Friday, shelved official engagements Read More…