The country’s police chief announced on Tuesday the SARS unit was being replaced by a new SWAT outfit, but protesters were quick to reject this and push for more sweeping change.
In response, the Nigerian police insisted no members of the former unit would be eligible for the new one, promising its officers will be “barred from indiscriminate and unlawful searches”.
Despite the commitment to reform, Amnesty said the violent response by law enforcement to protests undermined the promises.
“Nigerians are sceptical of authorities’ pledge to end police atrocities because the past claims of reforming SARS have turned out to be empty words,” said Osai Ojigho, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“That police are still using excessive force on peaceful protesters – leading to injuries and deaths in Lagos, Ughelli, Abuja and Ogbomosho – throws through the window claims of any commitment to ending violations of human rights by Nigeria police,” he said.
Article Appeared @https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/15/why-do-women-in-italy-find-their-name-on-grave