Nigerian Christian leaders respond to police brutality protests
After a video of an officer killing a man was released in early October, thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets to protest decades of police brutality in the country. In particular, #EndSARS demonstrators are demanding that the nation’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad—commonly known as SARS—be disbanded.
Nigerian police officers have a notorious record of human rights abuses. A report by Amnesty International released in June exposed cases of torture and impunity within the police force. SARS, which was created in 1992 to fight armed robbery “with an element of surprise,” is known for illegal arrests, torture, exortion, and extrajudicial killings. SARS officers are also known to stop, detain, and search civilians without cause.
Religious organizations in the country are among those speaking up against police brutality and in support of reforms.
