A police station in Nigeria was set on fire and several people were reportedly killed as protests continue to escalate across the country
Orile Iganmu police station in Lagos state was burnt down as « End Sars » protests turned increasingly violent on Tuesday
Images posted on social media show flames bursting from the building as crowds wreak havoc on surrounding streets
In another clip from Tuesday, bursts of bullets can be heard as crowds of people run through the streets
This comes after assailants attacked three police stations just a day earlier – Ugbekun Police Station, Oba Market Police Station, and Idogbo Police Station – in the town of Benin, in Edo state, Nigerian national forces said
Apapa-Iganmu local government region spokesperson Ayo Micheal told Punch he received reports that two protesters were shot dead as they attacked the police station
A policeman from the Orile police station shot and killed a resident, according to residents who spoke anonymously to THISDAY
The publication also reported that the bodies of three as yet unidentified young men were found dismembered in Ketu after riots in the area
At the same time, the Peoples Gazette reported that at least two protesters were killed in Apo town, Abuja, and 26 others were injured
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday announced a curfew affecting all parts of the region after the police station burned down
Curfew includes Lagos, Africa’s largest city with 20 million people, and only essential workers are exempt
The protests, which began around a fortnight ago with calls for an end to police brutality, have seen many young people use the social media hashtag #EndSars to campaign for the shutdown of the notorious special squad anti-theft
At the start of the protests, police fired at protesters in the Surulere area of Lagos and elsewhere. Meanwhile, armed gangs attacked protesters in Lagos and the capital Abuja
Sanwo-Olu tweeted Tuesday: « I was amazed to see how what started as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that threatens the well-being of our society
I therefore hereby impose a 24 hour curfew on all parts of the state from 4pm today October 20, 2020 No one except essential service providers and first speakers, should only be found in the street
« Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and disbelievers now hide under the umbrella of these protests to unleash chaos on our state
« As a government that is aware of its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the #ENDSARS movement, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our beloved state
« I therefore hereby impose a 24 hour curfew on all parts of the state starting at 4:00 p.m. today October 20, 2020 No one except essential service providers and first responders, should only be found on the street «
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End SARS, Nigeria, Protest, Police Station, Lagos State Police Command
News from around the world – United States – One police station set on fire, several demonstrators were reportedly shot dead in Nigeria
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
