AUTHORITIES on Tuesday imposed a 24-hour curfew in Nigeria’s economic hub Lagos as the police ordered out anti-riot units nationwide to face protests officials claimed had been hijacked by criminals.
As the lockdown went into force in Africa’s largest city at 4 pm (1500 GMT), hundreds of defiant protesters sang the national anthem as they pledged to remain out on the streets.
“Are you afraid?” a man shouted to the flag-waving crowd from a stage at a tollgate in the city centre that has become the epicentre of the demonstrations.
“We will stay here peacefully,” 32-year-old demonstrator Akin told AFP.
“This is our new home.”
Protests that began 12 days ago over abuses by the police’s loathed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have spiralled dramatically with violence being reported in several cities.
Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered the shutdown after he said the protests had “degenerated into a monster that
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
