The public outcry and protest against police brutality
and operations of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS)
continued on Monday with Nigerians making more
demands.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had earlier
announced the dissolution of the F-SARS after days of protests
across the country.
The protest continues across the country continued on Monday
with the protesters demanding the immediate release of all arrested
protesters; justice for all deceased victims of police brutality
and appropriate compensation for their families and setting up an
independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of
all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days).
Other demands include psychological evaluation and retraining of
all disbanded SARS before they can be redeployed and increase in
police salary so that they are adequately compensated for
protecting the lives and property of citizens.
The police unit was founded in 1992 to combat cases of armed
robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. But SARS, instead,
over time, has gained notoriety for its reckless intimidation of
innocent civilians through puerile profiling and wanton abuse of
power.
Read on for updates about the latest developments from
and around the protests:
5:00 am Protesters Block
Lekki-Epe Toll Gate
Protesters laid siege to the Lekki toll gate, along the
Lekki-Epe Expressway. They gathered at the toll gate as early as
5:00 am to protest police brutality and demand scrap of the F-SARS
unit of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Their activities grounded
vehicular traffic along the expressway forcing commuters and
motorists on their way to work to a standstill.
Several residents who have to access the toll gate to get to
work said they had returned home because of the massive
traffic.
Read more
10:02am: Jos Residents Demand Justice For Victims Of
#EndSARS Protests
A group of concerned youths in Plateau, the capital of Jos
joined the protest as they marched along major streets of Jos
metropolis.
Displaying placards with different inscriptions, the protesters
are calling for the immediate release of all arrested protesters as
well as demanding justice for all deceased victims or police
brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.
Other demands include the setting up of an independent body to
oversee the investigation of police misconduct and increase in
Police salary so that they are adequately compensated for
protecting the lives and properties of citizens.
12:48 noon Buhari Promises Extensive Reforms Of Nigeria
Police Force
President Muhammadu Buhari reacted to the outcry on the reform
of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) promising to extensively reform
the Force.
The President declared that the disbanding of the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is the first step to extensive police
reforms by his administration.
He disclosed this while delivering a speech at the launch of the
presidential youth empowerment scheme at the State House in
Abuja.
He also promised to ensure that all those who are responsible
for the misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.
Read more
1:40 pm At Least One Killed In
Surulere #EndSARS Protest
One person has been reported killed in the Surulere area of
Lagos State in the ongoing protest against police brutality and
extra-judicial killings.
According to eyewitnesses, the victim was hit by a stray bullet
after the police officers shot indiscriminately to disperse the
protesters.
Efforts by the medical team at the scene of the protest to
resuscitate him proved abortive as he died at the scene. Another
protester was shot in the leg and quickly rushed to the
hospital.
They are shooting at protesters in Surulere.
Please send help!!#SURULEREPROTEST #EndSARS #SARSMUSTEND
pic.twitter.com/bNZ1DAIbsv— As a Boss..! (@JC_Jokes) October 12, 2020
Read more
03:20pm SARS
Disbandment, First Step In FG’s Commitment To Police Reforms –
Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also reacted to the disbandment of
the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector-General of
Police Mohammed Adamu and the ongoing protests.
The Vice President said the SARS disbandment is the first step
to Federal Government’s commitment to the reform in the police.
He also called for an end and reform in the Nigerian Force
Force.
Read more and watch video below
04:20 pm Femi Kuti Joins #SARSMUSTEND
Protest
Music Legend Femi Kuti joined other Nigerians in the ongoing
protest calling for an end to police brutality by men of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
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The protesters are calling for an end to SARS, reforms in the
police, the release of some of the protesters who were arrested by
the police during last week’s protests, prosecution of the officers
that killed these victims, and compensation for the families of the
deceased.
They are also calling for an end to police brutality, insisting
that President Muhammadu Buhari should make the pronouncement
disbanding SARS by way of an executive order.
Read more and watch video below
7:09 pm #SARSMUSTEND: ‘Your Voice Has Been Heard
Clearly’, Sanwo-Olu Tells Protesters
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has told protesters
that their voices have been heard.
This follows the ongoing protest calling for an end to police
brutality and reform in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)/
The Governor said this on Monday while addressing the protesters
in Lekki where youths camped and blocked the expressway.
I was at the venue of one of the #EndSARS
protests today. The safety of everyone involved in peaceful
protests across Lagos is important and communicating with the CP,
this is what we want to guarantee on all sides.Tomorrow, I will be meeting with HE Pres. @MBuhari in Abuja.
pic.twitter.com/No0XT8o8QP— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 12, 2020
Read more here.
8:09 pm: ‘Finally, The Youths Are Awake’: Ooni Of Ife
Supports #EndSARS
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has backed the #EndSARS
protests sweeping across the country, hailing Nigerian youths for
agitating against police brutality.
“The #ENDSARS movement has brought nothing but joy to me,” the
Ooni tweeted on his handle on Monday; a statement equally confirmed
to Channels Television by the Director of Media to the monarch,
Comrade Moses Olafare. “Finally, the youths are awake, with one
voice and a common goal.”
The #ENDSARS movement has brought nothing
but joy to me. Finally, the youths are awake, with one voice and a
common goal.— Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi (@OoniAdimulaIfe) October 12, 2020
Read more here.
8:55pm #EndSARS: Davido Reads Protesters’ Demands To
IGP
Singer, David Adeleke, popularly called Davido has presented the
demands of the #EndSARS protesters to the Inspector General of
Police, Mohammed Adamu at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the
nation’s capital.
The demands, according to him include the release of the
protesters, justice for all victims of police brutality, among
others.
“Our five demands include the immediate release of all arrested
protesters. We thank God everybody was released in Abuja yesterday,
there are still some people arrested in Lagos.”
Read more here.
10:47pm #EndSARS Protest: Police Allegedly Assault
Journalist, Others In Ogun
Police officers attached to the Ogun State Police Command have
allegedly assaulted a journalist, Tobi Adepoju and other protesters
during an #EndSARS protest.
In a video clip obtained by Channels
Television on Monday, the reporter was repeatedly hit by
police operatives at the Ajuwon police station.
He explained that the protesters mobilised themselves for a
peaceful march around Alagoble, Akute, Ajuwon and Iju communities
before the incident occurred.
Read more here.
10:49 pm #EndSARS: This Movement Is Also For You, Ooni Of Ife
Tells Police Officers
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi believes the recent waves
of #EndSARS protests in Nigeria will equally be beneficial to
officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
“To the men and women of the Nigerian police force,” he tweeted
on Monday via his official handle, “be assured that this movement
is also for you, we know you are humans also and your reality is as
a result of your environment.”
While condemning reports of brutality and abuse by operatives of
the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Oba Adeyeye hailed Nigerian
youths for agitating for an end to the ugly incidents.
Read more here.
And that is all for today’s updates on the #EndSAR protests in
the country. Fresh updates about the agitations will be
published tomorrow.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/10/13/live-endsars-protest-continues-as-nigerians-demand-more/