Nigerians take to the streets to protest against police brutality

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Over the past week, thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets to protest against police brutality, to demand police reform and an end to the Special Anti Robbery Squad known as SARS.

Nigerians protest police brutality

Major cities have been brought close to a standstill as protesters demonstrate across the country, reports CNN.

At least 10 people have been killed, according to Amnesty International and many more injured as police in some states fired live ammunition, teargas and used water cannons on protesters, according to the report.

Nigeria’s government has responded and said it has disbanded the SARS and replaced with a new tactical team known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), according to the report.

But protesters said they fear the new unit will simply be a rebranded version of SARS.

“What they do is… give them new uniforms, call them a different name, but they are still the same people in these police forces,” said blogger Folu Oyefeso, in Lagos.

Demonstrators in Lagos, who gathered despite heavy rain, sang, danced and chanted. Many held placards, including one that read “Stop killing our dreamers. #EndSARS now.”