#EndSARS protesters arrested in Egypt

Some Nigerians protesting against police brutality in their home country were arrested in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday.

However, The Punch reported that the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri, denied the Nigerian government involvement in the Nigerians’ arrest.

She also explained that the Nigerians were not arrested at the Nigerian Embassy but at another location.

In a video that surfaced online, the Nigerians were seen chanting solidarity songs.

While the policemen attempted to disperse them at the Nigerian Embassy, the protesters continued to chant the #EndSARS songs.

One of the protesters in the video told the policemen that the protest was not against the police authorities in Egpyt.

Another protester was heard clarifying that by protesting at the Nigerian Embassy, they were believed to be in their country – Nigeria.

A Twitter user, @DrOlufunmilayo, said, “Nigerians were having a peaceful protest in Cairo Egypt today (Sunday) and the Nigerian Embassy called Egyptian police to arrest them; 20 people now arrested. How can Nigerians be arrested for peaceful gathering in a Nigerian embassy?”

“Consular to Nigeria Embassy in Cairo, Egypt refused to interact with peaceful protesters. They were all arrested shortly after their demand to speak with the consular,” @AdebayoApanpa stated.

A popular actress, Toyin Abraham, said, “Aunty Abike @abikedabiri, please we are waiting to hear from you ma. The peaceful protesters that were arrested in Cairo should be released.”

Dabiri, in her response, said, “The Egyptian police dispersed them, then traced them to a very far place. They didn’t arrest them at the mission. They came in a bus driven by an Egyptian. The driver has also been arrested. The mission will do all they can. Egypt is very strict with its laws.

“Nigerian mission did not call police. In Cairo, gatherings without permits are banned. In Egypt, you can’t even travel from one part of the country without a permit to travel from the state you live in. They have their own rules which they strictly enforce.

“However, the mission will be engaging with the authorities to see what can be done.”