Mothers Join Nigerian #EndSARS Protests

Nigerian mothers joined protests in Lagos against police brutality on Saturday, as the movement entered its tenth consecutive day.

“I am here to come and protest against the killing of my children, against the killing of our children, against the killing of the youth,” said Adepeju Dinyo.

“We want a new Nigeria where righteousness, peace and justice reign, where our children can live, can go to school and work and live their lives in peace.”

The protests erupted last week after a video circulated online showing a man being beaten, apparently by police from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit.

“My son has been stopped by SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) before. Luckily it didn’t turn nasty, but I have a heart for the young people, I have a heart for this country. It bleeds me, my heart, to see what is going on, and so I just had to come out today.”

The unit has killed and tortured many Nigerians, according to human rights groups.

Since the protests began, at least 10 people have been killed and hundreds injured, according to Amnesty International, which accuses the police of using excessive force against the demonstrators.

The #EndSARS campaign has attracted international support, including from supporters of Black Lives Matter in the US and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey who has retweeted posts from Nigerian demonstrators.

In response to the widespread demonstrations by young Nigerians, the government said it would disband the SARS unit, but the protesters are continuing, saying they want an end to all police brutality.

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