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FCT Committee Bans #ENDSARS Protest in Abuja For Violating COVID-19 Guideline

After a bloody clash between #ENDSARS and #PROSARS protesters at Berger area of Abuja that allegedly left 4 dead, the FCT Administration has placed a ban on all #ENDSARS demonstration within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In almost a fortnight now, Nigerians have been marching through the streets in major cities across the country under the #ENDSARS campaign that seeks to ban the activities of the now dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit in the Nigeria Police Force notorious for extortion, torture and murder.  

In a statement released by the FCT administration on Thursday, October 15, 2020, the security committee decided that the #ENDSARS street demonstrations are in violation of safety rules.

The committee made several allegations that the peaceful protesters have been behaving in an unruly manner, and caused inconveniences to others in the capital city. Also the committee claimed that the protesters have failed to comply with COVID-19 guidelines regulating public gatherings.

“All street demonstrations, protests, and processions will not be allowed anywhere within the FCT,” the statement read.

The statement however didn’t mention any penalty for violation of the new directive.

On Sunday, 11 October, 2020, prior to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian police leadership through the Inspector General of Police announced the disbandment of SARS. And on Monday, 13 October, the IGP announced that a Special Weapon And Tactic team made up of former operatives of the SARS would be setup to fulfill the mandate of the defunct police unit.

Nigerian protesters who have been holding their grounds for nearly a fortnight of street campaign have no plans to back down just yet as they insist that until there are evidential result, especially the persecution of erring police officers and the compensation of victims of police brutality, the street demonstration will not end.

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