The United Nations called for an end to police “brutality” in Nigeria on Wednesday after Amnesty International reported that Nigerian security forces had shot and killed nonviolent protesters in the latest two-week escalation of unrest.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested that “security forces act in maximum restraint at all times” and also called on protesters “to stand peacefully and run for violence,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
Guterres said armed men who opened fire on nonviolent protesters in Lagos on Tuesday night had “several deaths” and many injuries.
The UN leader suggested that the Nigerian government investigate violence and “hold perpetrators accountable. “
The governor of Lagos first said no deaths had been recorded, but then said the government was investigating a person’s death.
Witnesses said the attackers opened fire on a crowd of more than 1,000 citizens On Tuesday night to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiraling protests opposed to police brutality and deep-seated social grievances.
This was supported through DW Africa correspondent Fanny Facsar, who remained involved in the violence.
He said “peaceful protesters” called for an end to the curfew and denounced police brutality, but that “the dynamic began to replace when other people were wearing camouflage, armed men, not knowing if they were Nigerian infants or what kind of Nigerian security forces. “, entered the site and began shooting, firing for a while. It’s chaos, a massive disaster. “
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also condemned the killing of protesters on Wednesday and called for justice.
“It is alarming to be informed that several other people were killed and injured in the ongoing protests opposed to the Special Anti-Theft Brigade [SARS] in Nigeria,” he said. “It is imperative that those guilty of abuse be brought to justice and held accountable. “
Meanwhile, Lagos maintained a 24-hour curfew imposed by police on Wednesday.
Read more: Protests #EndSARS Nigeria’s Flaws
Lagos state governor said another 30 people were injured in a shooting at a toll booth in the Lekki community amid the protests. A man died in the hospital with a blow to the head, according to the governor. It’s not transparent if he’s a protester.
Although President Muhammadu Buhari called for “understanding and calm,” Amnesty International said he is investigating “credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force that caused the deaths of protesters” at the toll.
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Sports figures expressed support for the protesters. Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, whose mother is Nigerian, said that “violence and murders are horrific. All because of the other people who say they need to live in peace?The change will happen!” he wrote on Twitter.
Read more: Could the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria be a movement?
Meanwhile, Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo said he “shames” his country’s government.
Ighalo recorded a video message Tuesday night following United’s 2–1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The 31-year-old former nigerian recorded his message in the countryside of the Parc des Princes in Paris.
“I’m unhappy and I’m devastated. I’m not the kind of person who talks politics, but I can’t keep my mouth shut about what’s going on at home in Nigeria. I would say, the Nigerian government – are you a disgrace to the world, for killing your own citizens, sending infants to the streets to kill unharmed protesters, because you are protesting for your rights?It’s unwarranted, ” he said.
Just over a week after the protests began to dissolve Nigeria’s notorious Special Anti-Theft Squadron (SARS), Nigerian protesters promised on social media “do not back down. “But we don’t know exactly where they’re headed.
International donors pledged Tuesday to help countries in the African Sahel region. The United Nations has sounded alarm about the millions of people in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger facing acute famine and a militant insurgency.