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Buhari’s Appeal For Calm Fall On Deaf Ears As #EndSARS Protests Continue

Youths on Saturday continued their #EndSARS protests in Lagos State despite an appeal for calm by President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The youths protested at Ikorodu and Lekki areas of Lagos State.

They are protesting against brutality and extortion of operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The placard-carrying protesters chanted “EndSARS” as they marched through the streets of Lagos peacefully.

On Friday, the president had appealed to hundreds of Nigerians to be patient with the government, assuring them that FSARS would be reformed.

“Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt. I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct and ensure that the Police are fully accountable to the people.

“The IGP already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, and ensure erring personnel is brought to justice. I appeal for patience and calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known,” Buhari tweeted.

Recall that that one protestor and one police officer were killed on Thursday while another sustained life-threatening injuries during a protest in the Ughelli, Delta State.

On Friday, protestors gathered peacefully in Lagos; but in Abuja and Osun State there was violence.

The movement initially targeted FSARS, widely accused of unlawful arrests, torture, and murder, but has since broadened to include all police forces.

The FSARS unit was earlier suspended on Sunday from routine patrols.

Several Nigerian celebrities have expressed support for the movement.