Nigeria protests end SARS: Kanye West and other stars speak out against police brutality

Famous people including singer Trey Songz (Real name Tremaine Aldon Neverson), former professional football player Rio Ferdinand And star wars representative John Boyega They are also among those showing support to those protesting the dissolution of the controversial police unit in the West African country.

The protests in cities across Nigeria came after weeks of online protest from young people in the country over allegations of kidnapping, harassment and extortion by a police unit known as the Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS). The demonstrations continued after the Inspector General of Police announced, on Sunday, that the unit had been dissolved and its officers redeployed.

Diaspora protests

Over the weekend, the Nigerian community also organized protests in solidarity with their counterparts back home.

Sunday #EndSARS Protests erupted in Canada, England, Germany and the United States.

Fakhriya Hashem, a protester in London, told CNN that the aim of the protest was to encourage the diaspora community in England to provide financial support to protesters in Nigeria so that they can continue their protests.

The London protest was also attended by the stars of Afrobeat Wizkid (real name Ayodiji Balogun) and Mr. Easy (real name Ulwatussen Ajibad).

Addressing the crowd with a microphone, Mr. Izzy said that he was personally arrested and harassed by SARS officers. “None of us are safe if we continue to stay in our comfortable homes and allow people to speak and say that it does not affect them,” he said in the video, which was watched by CNN.

Demonstrators similarly gathered on Sunday and Monday chanting “End SARS.” On Queen Street in Toronto, Canada.

Blessing Timidi Degas, one of the demonstrators who was present on both days, told CNN that the protesters’ demands included justice for those who had been brutally treated by the police unit, police reform and an end to all forms of police brutality.

“We were hoping to share our personal experiences in the hands of SARS and the police, to join our colleagues in the homeland in claiming the dignity of Nigerian life,” Degas said.

Lagos State spokesman Moiwa Adigobe said all complaints against its officers are carefully investigated and appropriate penalties are applied to violators. Adjobi added that many people do not report abuse because they are afraid they will not receive justice. People affected by police misconduct are encouraged to report it.

SARS solution

As protests continued in different parts of the world on Sunday, Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Abu Bakr Adamu, announced that SARS had been resolved.

But protests continued in Lagos, Abuja and Kwara on Monday, with young Nigerians saying they would continue to take to the streets until the entire police force was reformed.

Abiyome Akinbo, who participated in the protests in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, agreed. He told CNN: “It is not enough to end this unit and redeploy it elsewhere.” “What we want is an end to the unit and an investigation into the behavior of the SARS unit.”

Akinbo added that officers should be trained on how to deal with citizens to reduce the brutality they inflict on people.