protest in Lagos.
As the #EndSars movement continues to gain momentum, a
petition to the United States government to impose visa
restrictions on all Nigerian public office holders and high-ranking
police officers has received over 10,000 signatures as of Sunday
morning.
The petition, started by data journalist Farida Adamu, was
created on Friday to nudge top officials to “take needful actions
instead of their current taciturnity,” a description on change.com
said.
Last month, the US, in a statement, said it had imposed visa
restrictions on select individuals for their role in causing
electoral violence or “undermining democracy” during the Kogi and
Bayelsa States 2019 elections.
The US also threatened to impose further sanctions on
politicians who sow conflict during the recently held Edo and Ondo
States elections.
“Though visa restrictions may not be foolproof, the peaceful
election conducted a few days after the release of your statement
asserts that your statement holds so much significance,” the
petition, written as a letter to the US Department of State,
read.
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“It is with this belief in your commitment that we, as Nigerian
youths, request that you make the blanket restriction as
highlighted above on all public office holders in the country.”
Many Nigerians have taken to the streets in recent days to call
for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, an infamous
police unit notorious for hounding and harassing innocent
civilians.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has announced a
ban on routine patrols for SARS officials among other measures.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also said he is committed to
ensuring the police are responsible to the people.
But critics say the Federal Government’s response is mere
rhetoric and protests have continued.