African Union condemns violence in Nigeria
Moussa Faki Mahamat – Chairperson of the African Union – office released an official statement on Thursday morning stating that he strongly condemns violence in Nigeria that broke out on 20 October 2020 during protests in Lagos that ended in multiple deaths and injuries.
The statement said, “The chairperson appeals
to all the political and social actors to reject the use of violence and
respect human rights and the rule of law”.
Mahamat’s statement on Thursday didn't
explicitly rebuke the security powers' action.
It said he welcomed Nigeria's choice
to disband the police's hated Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Amnesty International said, since 8
October Nigerians have been possessing the roads of significant towns and cities
across 21 states of the country, requesting an end to police ruthlessness,
extrajudicial executions and blackmail by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad
(SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police entrusted with battling vicious
wrongdoings.
The use of lethal force by security
forces drew international condemnation, with the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights Michelle Bachelet saying reports suggested it could have been
premeditated, according to Eye Witness News.
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