Protests have continued and this time with a new hashtag #EndSWAT, as youths come out in their numbers on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 agitating against police brutality and extra-judicial killings.
The protest follows the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to set up a new unit called the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Unit (SARS).
However, protesters are not having this replacement and have continued their protests because the decision to immediately replace SARS operatives with SWAT is hasty and unpremeditated.
“All hashtags remain valid towards the struggle. Be vigilant. This is about all of us. We are all in pains right now but don’t let those we have lost die in vain. I saw the SWAT thing. Hasty. But will address,” #EndSARS convener, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalinks tweeted on Wednesday morning.
At the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, some of the protesters can be seen chanting songs of solidarity and demonstrating despite the early morning rain.
It affects us all!
Too late! Egungun don enter express!
Government must listen! #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSwat #PoliceReform #FixTheSytem #5for5 #EndSarsNow #EndSars pic.twitter.com/EuNAIoh0I1— Omoni Oboli (@Omonioboli) October 14, 2020
"@iNtroonme: The crowd is gaining momentum here at lekki toll gate.
RETWEET for All! #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria #EndSWAT #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/YHpfDmt4cB— GIDITRAFFIC (@Gidi_Traffic) October 14, 2020
"@Tomi_Aina: Lekki toll gate!
Rain can’t stop us ⚡️⚡️⚡️#EndSARS#EndSWAT #SARSMUSTEND #EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA pic.twitter.com/yT5pRDefS7
— GIDITRAFFIC (@Gidi_Traffic) October 14, 2020
The protesters said the agitation continues until all their five demands are met which include the immediate release of all arrested protesters; justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families and setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days).
Other demands include psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS before they can be redeployed and an increase in police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.
Meanwhile, the presidential panel on Tuesday approved the demands of #SARSMUSTEND protesters, including halting the use of force against protesters and the unconditional release of arrested citizens.
The five-point demands of the protesters were okayed at a forum convened by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and the National Human Rights Commission, with stakeholders, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said.
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