Nigeria: Protestors "Shot Dead" by security forces in Lagos

Thousands of Nigerians took to the streets to protest against SARS ( Special Anti Robbery Squad), a group that was set up by the government years ago. They have been accused of extortion, harassment, torture and even murder. Although this group was disbanded on 11th October after a long struggle, the protesters persisted calling out for reformed law enforcement. 

On 21st October, Wednesday, Lagos was under curfew but the protests went on. The atmosphere had been peaceful when the lights went out and the site plunged into darkness and horror. Despite President Muhammadu Buhari's plea for understanding and calm, the shooting began. According to the rights group Amnesty International, the Nigerian Army and police killed 12 protesters. A verified video also shows policemen kicking a man on the ground and shooting another in the back and removing the bodies. Although the army denies any claims of their presence on the scene, several eyewitnesses say otherwise. 

The irony of the situation is that the people were bought down by the very thing they were protesting against. By this show of their unnecessary brutality and their inability to handle situations, the police and government just added all the more reasons for protests and proved the point of the people. 

Police brutality is a huge violation of human rights, backed by discrimination of religion, racism or simply exploitation of power. 82 such cases have been documented in Nigeria alone from 2017 to 2020. Not only there, but this is happening all over the world if the police reaction to the Hong Kong protests, the murder of George Floyd or the numerous cases in our own country that seldom catch the media's attention are anything to go by. How many more Jayaraj, Felix and George Floyds do we need to mourn. It's time we speak up. 

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