Nigerian stars call for dismantling of controversial police unit
Nigerian Wizkid on stage at Afrorepublik Festival in London, May 2018 © Getty Images / Ollie Millington
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
In Nigeria, singing stars like Wizkid are taking up the debate over police violence, as authorities announce reform of the special federal police unit tasked with combating robberies and armed robberies.
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With our correspondent in Lagos,
Liza Fabbian
The Special Anti-Robbery Brigade - SARS - is regularly questioned by the population and human rights defenders for its abuses.
This weekend, the police chief indicated that the officers of this squad could no longer carry out identity checks or road checks.
But social networks continue to ignite in Nigeria, demanding the outright dismantling of this special unit with controversial methods.
Videos and testimonies denouncing the abuses of its officers are published there.
Wizkid challenges the Nigerian president
But ordinary citizens aren't the only ones protesting online.
Many Nigerian song stars have also called the authorities to account.
Starting with Wizkid, afropop superstar, who challenged President Muhammadu Buhari on twitter.
“
Old man
!
The police continue to kill young Nigerians every day,
”he wrote on his official account.
“
Do something
!
"
Donald trump is not your business!
Old man!
Police / Sarz still killing
Nigerian youth on a daily!
Do something!
Nothing concern u for America!
Face your country !!
https://t.co/thxmoYb7VE
Wizkid (@wizkidayo) October 4, 2020
The hashtag
#Endsars
was then quickly taken up by other Nigerian celebrities, who sometimes shared their own experiences with the men of the anti-heist squad.
Singer Naira Marley even called for a protest this Tuesday in Lagos.
While the governor of the megalopolis promises "
appropriate and swift action
" to ensure the safety of citizens from the police, some Nigerian editorial writers recall that previous attempts to reform the special unit have never succeeded.
►Also read: The Nigerian police chief reframes the special units
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