By Bibiope Michael – On Sunday the 11th of October, thousands of Nigerians in the UK gathered on Northumberland Avenue in London.
The Northumberland Avenue houses the Nigeria High Commission where Nigerians trouped out in their numbers to lend their voices to the ongoing protest. They condemned the acts of brutality by Nigerian policemen and the notorious unit special anti-robbery squad unit known as SARS against young people who are profiled due to appearance.
In London, several artistes and public figures showed up at the protest to lend their voices, we had Wizkid, Seyi Shay, Mr Eazi, African Boy, Kelechi AFC, Aduke, Tipsy, snatch and others who spoke vehemently against the brutality of Nigerian police. Several attendees of the protests also had experiences to share. This protest was put together put together by Dipo Awojide and Karo Omu. The protest was done peacefully and within the confines of the UK laws. The MET police were seen on the ground.
The protest which started on the 8th of October has blown into a full protest with several unit springing up across Nigeria and Nigerian in the diaspora joining the call to the federal government to end SARS. Nigerians have said that the SARS unit of the police force has become a threat to their lives and wellbeing, with evidence of several innocent people being killed and robbed.
On the evening of Sunday the 11th, the IGP announced that the SARS unit has been dissolved, however Nigerians have pulled out evidence to say, this same news has been repeated for years and this time they demand an executive order and an address from the president. The coalition of young people have also drawn up a list of 5 things they demand from the government and stated that the protests will continue until these demands are met.
This protest has been described as faceless and organic with no central leadership for negotiation, just the collective voices of Nigerians home and abroad to demand the end of SARS.
Photo credits: Demola Osuntoki
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