Several People Shot Dead in Protest against Police Brutality in Lagos, Nigeria

Nigeria

ABUJA (Somaliguardian) – More than a dozen people have reportedly been shot dead or wounded at a protest against police brutality in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos.

Witnesses said several people were killed and wounded when soldiers opened fire as videos circulated online show dead bodies and people sustaining injuries from gunshots.

Local official told media that about 25 people had been wounded but denied there were any fatalities.

An indefinite 24-hour curfew has been imposed in Lagos and other regions .Protests over a now-disbanded police unit – the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) – have been taking place for two weeks, with demonstrators using the social media hashtag #EndSars to rally crowds.

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed for “understanding and calm”.

Four witnesses told Reuters news agency that soldiers had opened fire on demonstrators. One of them, Alfred Ononugbo, 55, said: “They were firing into the crowd. I saw the bullet hit one or two persons.”

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