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Black Lives Matter co-founder urges Nigeria to free jailed police protesters

Black Lives Matter co-founder urges Nigeria to free jailed police protesters

LIBBY GEORGE A group of activists and celebrities, including a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, have signed an open letter to Nigeria's president demanding that he hold accountable security personnel accused of shooting anti-police brutality protesters. The letter, published in the New York Times on Thursday to mark International Human Rights Day, comes nearly two months after what witnesses and Amnesty International say was a fatal clash in Lagos between peaceful protesters and military and police. The military and police deny shooting protesters. The demonstrators had called for an end to police brutality and a much-hated unit called…
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Lagos imposes 24-hour curfew amid protests against Nigeria’s police

Lagos imposes 24-hour curfew amid protests against Nigeria’s police

ALEXIS AKWAGYIRAM and LIBBY GEORGE THE Nigerian state of Lagos has imposed a 24-hour curfew, saying protests against alleged police brutality had turned violent after a police station in the commercial capital was set on fire. A business group said the demonstrations had cost Nigeria $1.8 billion. Thousands of Nigerians demanding an end to alleged police brutality have taken to the streets every day for more than a week across the country, posing a challenge to President Muhammadu Buhari. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the curfew would affect all parts of the state, including Lagos - Africa's largest city with 20…
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Witnesses say 15 people died after Nigerian police opened fire with live ammunition on unarmed protesters

Witnesses say 15 people died after Nigerian police opened fire with live ammunition on unarmed protesters

ALEXIS AKWAGYIRAM and LIBBY GEORGE SOLDIERS opened fire on Nigerians protesting against police brutality in the Lekki district of the commercial capital Lagos on Tuesday, and at least two people were shot, four witnesses told Reuters. Thousands of Nigerians have demonstrated nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that rights groups had for years accused of extortion, harassment, torture and murders. The unit was disbanded on October 11 but the protests have persisted with demonstrators calling for a raft of law enforcement reforms. "They started firing ammunition toward the crowd. They…
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Protesters march on Nigerian parliament after army threatens to step in

Protesters march on Nigerian parliament after army threatens to step in

ALEXIS AKWAGYIRAM and CAMILLUS EBOH HUNDREDS of protesters have marched to the gates of Nigeria's parliament, hours after the army said it was ready to step in and restore order after more than a week of demonstrations against police brutality. The protest defied a ban on mass rallies in the capital Abuja that the government said was imposed earlier on Thursday to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Chanting crowds also blocked roads and waved flags and banners in the commercial hub Lagos, where protesters reported clashing with unidentified men wielding weapons. Video on social media appeared to show men…
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