Protesters marching to the police headquarters in Abuja to continue pressing for the scrapping of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad said they have been violently stopped.
They said some were beaten, others arrested and teargas fired at them.
Yet unverified videos have emerged on social media, showing protesters running amid a cloud of teargas.
There’s absolutely no reason for shooting teargas at unarmed protesters in Abuja. No reason. I have a problem with breathing, it’s escalated now because of the teargas shot at us. They are arresting us. #EndSARS #AbujaProtests #EndPoliceBrutality pic.twitter.com/k2GcezbNxF
— R E Y ? (@reykiya) October 9, 2020
In other cities, protesters marched to condemn plans to reform SARS rather than scrap it.
The unit is blamed for intimidation, extortion, killings, targeting many young people.
Many of its victims have been accused of living flamboyantly without tangible means of income, a shorthand for internet fraudsters, on the grounds of possessing electronic gadgets like phones and laptops.
Several protesters are marching with placards that read: “Being fine is not a crime”, “Tinted hair is not an offence”.
A video shows a crowd of women marching with placards that read: “Having a phone/gadget is not an offence”.
Our mothers are speaking with one voice #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/rByp7vVnfF
— The Souvenir Whisperer??️ (@Inzaghi1) October 9, 2020
I’m always scared everytime I’m back home. Scared of being harassed and extorted by #SARS operatives. This has to stop now. I’m lending my voice right here from the seven seas #EndSarsProtests #EndSARS #EndSARSImmediately #EndPoliceBrutalitynow pic.twitter.com/g911GLktGy
— Tamuno-Opubo George ? (@GodsgreatG) October 9, 2020
The protests turned violent in Osun and one police officer was reportedly killed in Delta.
In Lagos, protesters slept overnight outside the Government House.
Anger rose on Thursday after a police officer was reported to have shot a woman and left a gaping hole in her mouth.
Authorities have not commented about the incident and people are raising funds online for her surgery.
People are also responding to calls for donations to buy water, food and medical supplies for the protesters in Lagos and have raised more than N1 million.
Several celebrities have backed calls for the end of police brutality, with the hashtag #EndSARS trending globally.
Actor John Boyega who has Nigerian roots, posted a series of tweets in support of the demonstrations.
Three years ago Nigeria’s police chief re-organised SARS after public condemnation about the violence that came with their operations. That change has done nothing for Nigerians and today many are still in danger. #EndSarsProtests
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) October 9, 2020
Afrobeats musician Wizkid, who has been critical lately of the government’s handling of the situation, has also tweeted, targeting in particular a presidential aide Lauretta Onochie.
@Laurestar old woman…. “see your mates” God bless every woman #EndSARS https://t.co/fuRXkZ69s3
— Wizkid (@wizkidayo) October 9, 2020
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