Armed thugs on Wednesday attacked #EndSARS protesters in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, injuring some of them and disrupting their peaceful demonstrations.
The same scenario played out in Abuja.
The thugs in Lagos, who stormed the venue around 2pm on Wednesday, reportedly attacked the protesters with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
The protesters had blocked a section of the Alausa road and were singing solidarity songs when their attackers suddenly appeared and disrupted their demonstrations.
However, no life was lost as the protesters repelled the assailants.
Thousands of youths across the country have in the last one week been protesting against the harassment and extrajudicial killings perpetrated mainly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.
The police authorities have since disbanded the unit and announced the Special Weapons and Tactics unit as its replacement.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, took the demands of the protesters to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at Aso Villa in Abuja.
The governor on Wednesday appealed to the protesters to remain calm and “let the effects of the protest go down”.
Sanwo-Olu stated that Federal and State governments had heard the voices of the youths and had swung into action. He urged them to allow governments at all levels play its roles to make the demanded changes happen.
However, the protests have continued with many demanding for more reforms.
Suspected thugs attacked #EndSARS protesters in Abuja, injuring many of them and disrupting their peaceful rally.
The thugs, who stormed the venue around 1pm on Wednesday, reportedly fired gunshots in the air before chasing away the #EndSARS campaigners.
The protesters had blocked the Julius Berger roundabout, Wuse, with disused tyres and stones, and also prevented motorists from plying the route as they occupied the bridge.
They were singing solidarity songs when their attackers suddenly appeared and assaulted them.
The attackers, who were speaking Hausa language, also vandalised about five cars parked in the vicinity.
However, no life was lost as the police took control of the situation while the injured were taken to the hospital.
This is happening 24 hours after soldiers assaulted the protesters and harrassed an Arise TV cameraman at the Three Arms Zone.
When contacted, the Federal Capital Territory police spokesperson, ASP Mariam Yusuf, promised to find out and report back.
Meanwhile, despite nationwide agitation against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, supporters of SARS under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Tuesday took to the streets to support efforts of the police in ridding the country of crimes.
The organisation warned that the continuous protests against the SARS operatives were aimed at bringing down the government.
The Chief Convener of COCSO, Olayemi Success, and Co-Convener, Kabiru Dallah, told journalists that the Anti-SARS protesters were being sponsored by internet fraudsters.
The group said, “This solidarity march is very important to boost the morale of the policemen and women, for them to know that well-meaning Nigerians appreciate their sacrifices in securing Nigeria, we are convinced that Police is our friend and everyone that sees police as enemies are suspects.”
▪︎ Reports by The Punch
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