https://allafrica.com/stories/202011300074.html
Notice of a fresh protest, of alleged federal government’s harassment of promoters of the #EndSARS protests held in October, scheduled for December 5 have been trending in social media for weeks. In Nigeria, the federal government claims they would handle any demonstration against perceived police brutality or any other issue if it threatened to disrupt peace and security as a high treason aimed at the unconstitutional regime change. Inspector of general police warned shortly before a meeting with the commissioners of police in the 36 state commands that the proposed protest would be resisted by the nations security agencies. The protests lead by the youth of the country, lead by seemingly “amorous groups” held the country down for 3 weeks before a military intervention on the 20th at Lekki Tollgate, resulted in deaths of 22 policemen and the police buildings and private facilities to be set on fire and destroyed by these groups, causing trillions of Naira.
What were the protesters asking for? They have a five point demand including; immediate realead of all arrested protesters, justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and compensations for the families, setting up an independent body to oversee the cases of police brutality, carrying out a psychological investigation and prosecution of all reported police misconduct before they can be deployed, and finally for the government should increase police salary and the should be compensated for protecting the lives of citizens.
In my view one point really stuck out to me and it was the fact that they wanted psychological exams done on their policemen before they are sent out to do their jobs. I think that this could only benefit the country and possibly keeps killings down in Nigeria from police brutality. I think that they have every right to protest and they are doing it for a good reason, I just think that we need to find a way to do it where it won’t end in the death of 22 policemen.