Protesters at force headquarters insist on scrapping of SARS

Protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) rocked Abuja, Lagos and many cities across the country on Thursday as they insisted on the scrapping of the unit and not reforms as promised by the police authorities.

The protesters led by the head of the #RevolutionNow campaign, Omoyele Sowore, marched through major streets disrupting vehicular movements and headed to the police headquarters to deliver their message.

They cited instances of how members of SARS engaged in unlawful arrests, detentions extortions and extrajudicial killing of innocent citizens, especially young people.

The protesters under the aegis of the End Special Anti-Robbery Squad (END-SARS), carrying placards with various inscriptions called for an end to police brutality.

They also poured red paint on the road to illustrate the killings and bloodshed by SARS operatives.

They vowed not to leave the premises of the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja until the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, addressed them.

The protesters turned down the entreaties of Force Public Relations Officers, Frank Mba, for them to call off the demonstration.

A petition signed by over 10,195 persons was submitted to the National Assembly seeking the scrapping of SARS.

In Oyo State, a human rights activist, Comrade Andrew Emelieze and Coalition of #RevolutionNow led some youths and students to protest against the existence of SARS along many streets of Ibadan, the state capital.

Also, Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) protested against SARS operatives.

The protest was said to be bloody in Delta and Edo states where some hoodlums reportedly engaged police officers at the Ugbekun Police Division in Upper Sokponba area of Ikpoba-Okha Council Area of Edo State, leading to the shooting of one protester.

In Benin, the Convener of Talakawa Parliament, Kola Edokpayi, said the protest was to condemn alleged extortion, harassment and illegal killing of members of the public.