Twitter on Friday launched an emoji in support of thousands of Nigerians that have continued to protest police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the country.
Chief Executive Officer of the social media platform, Jack Dorsey, tweeted the #EndSARS hashtag with the new emoji on Friday morning.
A raised fist in the colours of the Nigerian flag, the emoji has already been widely used on the social media platform.
Meanwhile, the Twitter account of Nigeria’s Broadcasting Commission has been hacked, with the hackers sharing messages in support of the protests. The #Anonymous group of hackers has claimed responsibility.
“We #Anonymous Group Of Hackers will continue supporting the citizens of Nigeria. “Expect Us #Hacked,” the group shared on Twitter.
Demonstrations against police in brutality in Nigeria has entered its second week which started online but has spread to the streets of cities across the country and abroad, including in the US, UK, and Berlin.
The protesters initially called for the disbandment of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit widely accused of extortion, torture, and extra-judicial killings.
However, despite the government’s move in disbanding the unit and setting up independent judicial review by states of police brutality protesters have called for further reforms, including compensation for the families of victims and better funding for the police.
By Abel Ejikeme
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