Audio By Carbonatix
A media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to reports that Friday's protests against the notorious Sars police unit have been violently put down.
"Police that should be handing out face masks and bottled water to peaceful protesters... The response to police brutality is not further police brutality," Tolu Ogunlesi said in a tweet.
Olu Onemola, a community organiser who previously worked as an aide in Nigeria's senate, says he and his cousin were arrested by police on their way to joining the protest in the capital, Abuja.
The pair were "pushed into the back of a pickup" before later giving a statement and being released, he adds.
Others say tear gas and gunfire have been used to force peaceful protesters away - though the footage and photos posted on social media cannot be independently verified by the BBC:
They shot at us and threw teargas #Abuja #AbujaTwitterCommunity #AbujaProtests pic.twitter.com/mHeRURAwxQ
— /Raei/ 🕊🦍 (@baaleofabuja) October 9, 2020
Latest Stories
-
Today’s Front pages: Thursday, March 5, 2026
2 minutes -
Buffer Stock CEO warns against stealing of food in schools
7 minutes -
NDC raised expectations too high on ORAL prosecutions — Dr Zaato
8 minutes -
Speaker calls for stringent measures in deploying technology in education
15 minutes -
Potrikrom crash: Three survivors discharged, three referred for specialised treatment
18 minutes -
‘Forgiveness is freedom’ – Joe Ghartey rallies NPP in Central Region to close ranks ahead of 2028
1 hour -
5,000 youth trained, 50,000 lives impacted through Sinapi Aba Trust Apprenticeship Programme
1 hour -
GNPC Explorco, LubriMax, WEP seal deal for Ghana’s first onshore Voltaian Basin drilling
2 hours -
Transformation Is Deeply Personal: Belinda Dzattah’s journey from despair to delight is a beautiful script of grit & resilience
2 hours -
UN Resident Coordinator engages NDPC to deepen cooperation on Ghana’s development agenda
2 hours -
YEA assures staff of imminent salary payments after banking glitch
2 hours -
ADB donates GH¢200,000 to boost Ghana Medical Trust Fund’s ‘Heal Ghana Month’ campaign
2 hours -
ADB prioritises superior service experience, poise to accelerate bank growth
2 hours -
Western Region NRSA intensifies campaign on road safety
2 hours -
Man dies after falling into well at Ada Kasseh
2 hours