Police ‘brutally attack protesters in Abuja, arrest 5 injured demonstrators’
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force “brutally” assaulted EndSARS protesters in Abuja, activist Omoyele Sowore claims.
The assault allegedly happened as protesters demonstrated at the National Assembly complex on Friday morning.
“The Nigerian Police brutally attacked us at the National Assembly today during EndSARS protest, Sowore said. “Five persons were injured and then arrested. I am safe.”
In pictures: Protesters arrested in Abuja
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The demonstrators had earlier painted EndSARS graffiti on the road while chanting “EndSARS now”.
The EndSARS movement, which has no central leadership, seeks to end police brutality in Nigeria. Protesters successfully pressured the government into scrapping the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit that had degenerated into an agent of alleged extortion, illegal arrest and extra-judicial killing.
But there are fears protests would erupt again if government fails to keep its promises of reforming the police.
The authorities have warned against renewed demonstrations after thugs allegedly hired by state actors unleashed violence on Nigerians during major EndSARS demonstrations.
In Lagos, the police warned Thursday that they would “resist” any plot to launch another protest.
