#EndSARS: Nigerians in Ghana protest at High Commission
At least 100 protesters have gathered at the Nigeria High Commission to protest brutalities happening in Nigeria.
They blocked roads in their numbers and carried placards while chanting for several hours.
The visibly angry group marched to the premises early Wednesday, October 21 at about 10 am after a massacre in Nigeria at Lekki, a plush area in Lagos.
This would be the second in a series of demonstrations in neighbouring West African country, Ghana.
Ghana police have cautioned the group to use legitimate means to communicate their demands.
At least two police vehicles and several cops, some dressed in riot gear, were deployed to maintain order at the Nigeria High Commission.
Multiple sources and news outlets have reported several deaths with reports suggesting up to 40 deaths since the demonstration started about two weeks earlier.
Together with other protestors in Nigeria, they are calling for better treatment from their government.
The protests started with a call to reform the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS) of Nigeria.
The police unit was formed to deal with robbery, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and firearms.
Nigerians in UK and Kenya have also held #EndSARSn protests.
The demands of the protestors are summarised into five points.
- Immediate release of all arrested protesters.
- Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.
- Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days).
- In line with the new Police Act, psychological evaluation and retraining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed.
- Increase police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.
The government responded by disbanding the police unit but the protesters have remained on the streets, extending their demands to include good governance and better conditions for all citizens.
An imposed curfew did not yield the needed results forcing the army to pour out on Tuesday to contain pockets of violence.
Reports suggest multiply gunshots being fired at civilians leading to deaths but the nation’s military has denied killing protestors.
Nigerian musicians Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy had led media campaigns to stop the brutality, abuse, extortion, torture, and inhumane treatment meted out to Nigerians by the SARS.
Hashtags associated with the protests have flooded several social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.
These include: #EndSARS,#LekkiMassacre, #EndPoliceBrutalityNigeriaNow
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an end to what he called “brutality”.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has condemned the killing of protesters.
US opposition presidential candidate Joe Biden and former first lady and US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton have called on Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari end the violence unleashed on citizens.
International stars such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Kanye West, Trey Songz, Kirk Franklin, John Boyega, Chance the Rapper have all condemned the attacks.
The issue has also been brought up in the UK’s House of Commons by Labour MP Stephen Doughty while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for an end to the violence.
British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua and Manchester United striker footballer Odion Ighalo with 35 caps for the Super Eagles, Idion Ighalo have called for an end to the occurrences.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has called for “understanding and calm”.
A statement from the presidency said President Buhari was committed to police reforms and considering judicial panels probe claims of police brutality.
The African Union (AU) chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, is yet to comment on the development likewise the ECOWAS chaired by Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo.
This issue have gone beyond what someone have to think that its just a propaganda, sounds of guns being heard everywhere, the youths have gone to various police stations and set them on fire,stealing weapons from the stations, killing some of the police men,burning states properties like BRT buses,port and harbor offices,Television stations,hotel belonging to the former governor of Lagos state,Amed Tinubu. Many bad things are happening right now in Nigeria, a peaceful country, i will plead to Nana Ado to assist we Ghanaians living in Nigeria to come home,it is not easy hearing the sound of guns everywhere.