Nigerians call for a “second wave” of protests after police officer kills a young man

Anti-SARS protestors
Support us and go ad-free

On 10 December, a Nigerian police officer shot and killed a young keke (tricycle taxi) rider in Port Harcourt. Nigerians are now calling for a ‘second wave’ of End SARS protests. On 8 October, young Nigerians took to the streets and social media to campaign against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force. Over several years, evidence of systematic brutality and corruption was mounted against the notorious police unit. Though the government disbanded SARS in October, police brutality and impunity persist in Nigeria.

End SARS protests

The officer shot the unnamed man following a dispute over a 100 naira bribe, the equivalent of about 20p. The officer has been arrested and detained. Young people have taken to the streets of Port Harcourt to protest the injustice.

In early October, young Nigerians rose up against extortion, harassment, and extrajudicial killings at the hands of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Although the state disbanded the unit, End SARS protests continued; as did police brutality. On 20 October, the Nigerian army shot at peaceful protesters. At least 12 protestors died at the Lekki toll gate massacre. Activists called for the International Criminal Court to hold Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari to account for crimes against humanity.

Following the massacre, and the deaths of at least 51 civilians during protests, Buhari said the violence was a result of “hooliganism“. While framing protestors as criminals without a cause, the president failed to address the massacre that took place two days prior.

In spite of curfews and the ban on peaceful demonstrations in certain states, anti-SARS protests resumed in Osun and Lagos on 7 December, with activists calling for the disbandment of the government’s Panel of Inquiry against police brutality. Following protests in Osun, Nigeria’s Department of State Services arrested protest leader Emmanuel Adebisi for allegedly impersonating an army captain. This is the latest is a series of cases of the Nigerian authorities targeting dissidents.

President Buhari’s response

On 9 December, Buhari tweeted that he is “disgusted” by overseas media coverage of anti-SARS protests for its bias in favour of protesters. In a thread, he went on to say that Nigeria’s government is “investing heavily” in weapons and military equipment. He concluded by saying: “We must all work to boost intelligence-gathering”.

Read on...

Support us and go ad-free

On 10 December, Human Rights Day, a number of prominent international celebrities and campaigners including Angela Davis, Alicia Keys, and Greta Thunberg signed an open letter to Buhari calling for an independent investigation into the Lekki toll gate massacre and for peaceful protests to continue.

Buhari’s blatant lack of remorse and disregard for protesters’ lives is extremely concerning. It’s clear that while he remains in power, militarism, surveillance, poor governance, and police brutality will prevail in Nigeria. In the face of a hostile government, the End SARS movement continues to fight against impunity and injustice, and towards a brighter future.

Featured image via Tobi Oshinnaike/Unsplash

Support us and go ad-free

We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support

The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.

The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.

So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.

Support us