#EndSARS rallies hold nationwide Monday

A coalition of civic groups will, on Monday, hold rallies nationwide to press home their demand for the dismantling of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad by the police authorities for high-handedness.

The movement said the rally would hold in Abuja ​​​at the Unity Fountain; Lagos at the ​​​Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota; Warri at the ​​​Enerhen Junction; Jos​​​ at Polo Terminus and Port Harcourt​​ at the Garrison Junction.

The peaceful protest would also take place in Kaduna​​ (Muritala Square); Ibadan​​ (Mokola Junction); and Awka​​​ (Wetheral/Okigwe Road Roundabout), the coalition said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Organisers of the protests include the convener #EndSARS, Segun Awosanya; convener, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju; coordinator, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy, Ariyo Atoye; Adebayo Raphael, Our Mumu Don Do Movement, Abdul Mahmud and Bako Usman of Campaign For Democracy.

The group said they were appalled by the brutality and extrajudicial executions perpetrated by the SARS operatives, noting that the government must put an end to the lawlessness of the squad.

It contended that the allegations against the squad, some of which were corroborated with photographs and videos, showed that the unit has outlived its usefulness and has become a menace to the Nigerian society.

“We are appalled by the stories told by victims, friends and family members of victims who have recounted experiences of extortion, torture, murder and disappearance of friends and loved ones.

“To this end, we will be holding a series of peaceful protests around the country on Monday, December 11, 2017 at locations in several cities to call for the immediate dissolution of SARS as a Police unit,” the coalition stated.

The movement explained that its protests would also demand greater funding of the Police, better training, provision of equipment and insurance for Police personnel, among other issues.