Nigeria: EU Seeks Justice for #EndSARS Protesters

The European Union (EU) has called for justice for the #EndSARS protesters killed by security operatives in Nigeria.

EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said in a statement that it was alarming to learn that many young Nigerians protesting against police brutality have been killed by the army.

A yet to be confirmed number of #EndSARS protesters were shot by soldiers in the Lekki area of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, on 20 October.

The attack on unarmed protesters, hours after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu imposed a curfew in Lagos, left at least seven people dead, according to witnesses, with scores of injured protesters receiving treatment at different hospitals in the city.

Before the curfew was imposed, armed thugs had attacked protesters in Lagos, Benin, and Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

Police accused people ‘posing’ as protesters of looting weapons, and torching police buildings.

‘It is alarming to learn that several people have been killed and injured during the ongoing protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad [SARS] in Nigeria’, Borrell said.

The EU chief called for the prosecution of those responsible for the killings.

‘Following the government’s will to deliver on reforms, we expect to see decisive implementation’, he added.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the commander in chief of the armed forces, has not reacted to the killing of unarmed Nigerians.

Protests, with hashtag #EndSARS, were triggered by the alleged killing of a young man by operatives of SARS in Lagos on 03 October.

SARS, which was specifically set up to fight robbery and kidnapping, has long been accused of harassment, unlawful arrests, torture and killings.

The police unit has been dissolved but protesters are demanding a complete reform of the police force.

Source: European Union

Photo source: Babajide Sanwo-Olu

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