Nigeria: announcement of SARS dissolution does not appease protesters
Demonstration against police violence in Lagos, October 12, 2020. REUTERS / Temilade Adelaja
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Despite the announcement of the dissolution of the much contested police unit, young people took to the streets again on Monday, October 13 in Nigeria, pushing President Muhammadu Buhari to speak for the first time since the start of this campaign. movement.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Lagos,
Liza Fabbian
The announcement of the
dissolution of SARS
, this specialized police unit accused of arbitrary arrests, torture and even extrajudicial killings, has not calmed protesters in Nigeria.
They mobilized again on Monday in Lagos, Abuja and other regions of the country.
At dawn, hundreds of young people stormed the Lekki tollgate, on one of the main arteries of the capital, massing on the huge pillars, climbing the metal structures or standing in the middle of the road. .
“
They always tell us, 'we're going to change, we're going to change', but they think we're not serious.
That's what we're here for.
It is the biggest toll in Lagos, and every day it brings them a lot of money.
So we decided that today no one would pass here, that they would not earn anything.
That way they will understand that we are very serious,
”explains a woman.
A first step
In the afternoon, President Muhammadu Buhari finally spoke, for the first time since the start of this protest movement against police violence.
"
The dismantling of the anti-theft squad is only the first step in our commitment to a comprehensive reform of the police, to ensure that the first duty of the police is to protect the lives of our fellow citizens,
" pledged The head of state.
But it is still too little for Rume and his friends, who listened to his speech on their cellphones.
“
His answer is a parade.
We want more than that.
This is the start of a great revolution, because we young Nigerians are suffering!
We need good governance, we need electricity, we want total reform of the system.
"
Hours after the Nigerian president's statement, a protester was killed by police in the Surulere neighborhood of Lagos, escalating the tension.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Nigeria
Criminality