By Murielle Noubissie S5 FR
Thousands of Nigerians have been taking to the streets for more than two weeks to protest against the police.
Protests in Nigeria against a police unit called SARS accused of human rights abuses have spread all over the world thanks to social media, creating the hashtag #EndSARS, in a sign of international solidarity around the movement, which has even drawn the backing of the likes of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, US rapper Kanye West, the singers Beyoncé and Rihanna and many other celebrities.
What is SARS ?
FSARS is the federal special anti-robbery squad, a unit of Nigerian police force charged with the fight against robbery in Nigeria. Since 2017, Nigerians protested their existence, due to their use of :
Excessive force
Extortion of money
Physical assault
Wrongly profiling people as criminal
Sexual assaults on women
Wrongful imprisonment of innocent people
What are the allegations?
One of SARS' alleged victims told Amnesty International he was arrested in 2017 after being accused of stealing a computer , he was then held for 40 days and tortured before he was brought in court.
The 23-year-old, Miracle, said: "They started using all manner of items to beat me, including machetes, sticks, inflicting me with all kinds of injuries. One of the officers used an exhaust pipe to hit me on my teeth, breaking my teeth. I was left on that hanger for more than three hours."
Another, 24-year-old Sunday Bang, was allegedly kept in detention in 2018 for five weeks, where he got bone fractures and other injuries due to torture after being accused of robbery.
Many other Nigerians have been killed, according to human rights groups.
What triggered the protests?
A video surfaced on Twitter of SARS officers shooting one man. Authorities denied the video was real and the man who filmed the video was arrested, provoking even more anger.
What can you do to help?
Spread awareness.
Donate.
Follow accounts that talk about it on social media like @amnestyNigeria
Protest, you can organize a protest or help protestors by donating food, water and other supplies they may need.
Bibliography:
Instagram: @54thrones
Amnesty International Interview : https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/06/nigeria-horrific-reign-of-impunity-by-sars-makes-mockery-of-anti-torture-law/
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