Protesters in Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos, are into the second day of a sit-in campaign calling on the government to scrap a notorious police unit that is accused by many of brutality.
The protesters, mostly young people, spent Thursday night in front of the government house in Alausa, Ikeja and refused to leave despite government officials speaking to them.
The state governor, Babajide Sanw-Olu who had promised "appropriate" and "speedy" action to resolve the harassment and extrajudicial killings the police unit has been accused of, was away in neighbouring Ondo state where there is a local election on Saturday.
Protesters have been sharing pictures and videos of Thursday night's sit-in:
Its morning!!! Some of us didn't get to close our eyes. We rise this morning again! Join in where ever you are and let your voices be heard too!#EndPoliceBrutality #EndSARSProtest #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/66pAOXmHRq
— KAMSI 🇳🇬 #Endsars (@RealKamsi) October 9, 2020
The Speaker has finished addressing the youths and is heading into the House Of Assembly building.
— Somto 🇳🇬🚨 (@SomtoSocial) October 8, 2020
Time is 12:25AM. #EndSarsNow #EndSARSprotests #LagosProtests #EndSARSImmediately pic.twitter.com/o4rHoh0oSt
Demonstrators have resumed their peaceful sit-in on Friday with planned demonstrations gathering pace in nearby Oyo state and the capital Abuja.
Thursday's peaceful protest had began during the day, led by popular afrobeats musicians Falz and Runtown, who called on the government to scrap the police unit.
Our message is clear. Today was very peaceful & the authorities know what to do in order to keep the peace. BIG LOVE to everyone that came out today! It was really inspiring seeing so many celebrities & young people join the movement. It is important we stay together. pic.twitter.com/6POb3IEphn
— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) October 8, 2020
Nigeria's inspector general of police had banned the unit from carrying out stop and search duties and setting up roadblocks as tempers boiled at routine harassment and atrocities allegedly committed by its officers.
Mohammed Adamu also said members of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (Sars) must always wear uniforms but Nigerians want Sars disbanded.
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