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3 Africa telegraph 25 October - 09 November 2020

hari in a recent statement said that 69
people have been killed in the protests
against police brutality that have rocked
the country. The deceased were mainly
civilians but include police officers and
soldiers.

The #ENDSARS campaign against
police brutality has drawn high-profile
support around the world, from Rapper,
Kanye West; Singer, Beyoncé; Preacher,
T.D Jakes; Movie Director, Tyler Perry;
to Manchester United forward, Marcus
Rashford; Boxer, Anthony Joshua; Man-
chester United Striker, Odion Ighalo;
and Hollywood actor, John Boyega. This
is a stark contrast to the muted response
from leaders in the region. The South Af-
rican president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who
is the chairman of the African Union, and
Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo,
chairman of the West African ECOW-
AS bloc, spoke out strongly on George
Floyd’s death. However, they appear
less keen to address police brutality in
their neighbouring country. But, Nigerian
youths have good reason to protest.

Protesters ignored a curfew imposed by Imo State governor and continued protests across the state.

Babagana Monguno (rtd.); Chief the soaring unemployment, worsened by
of Defence Staff, General Gabri- the pandemic, has fuelled more anger
el Olanisakin; Inspector-General and increased anti-government protest.
of Police, Mohammed Adamu;
Director-General, Department of The protest induced by police brutality
State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and Direc- has now evolved into much more than
tor-General, National Intelligence Agen- #ENDSARS. Activists are now seek-
cy, Ahmed Rufai, among others. ing justice for the bereaved families,
the right training of police officers and
Government of the people for the an independent body to investigate the
people unlawful killing by SARS, an end to bad
governance and corruption. Campaign-
Protestors have grown up expecting the ers also want adequate pay for police
state to do little. Democracy in this part officers, and many more reforms.
of the world is not a government of the
people by the people for the people. It Some states have now created investi-
is more like a government of the people gative panels, but the offending police
against the people for politicians’ person- officers have yet to be arrested. Worse
al and selfish gains. Some now call for still, the number of deaths in police cus-
President Buhari to quit. More broadly, tody and on the streets have continued
people link the state’s poor response to to rise.
the youth’s campaign as a sign that the
government does not care. In addition, Nigerian President Muhammadu Bu- Hoodlums attacked Nnewi Police Station, in Anambra State, set it ablaze,
vandalised patrol vehicles, captured and killed a police officer.

President Buhari met online with some former heads of state to discuss Former President Goodluck Jonathan (far left, in black hat) said, the gov-
how to resolve the crisis. ernment failed to have a dialogue with the protesters before using force.