Counter-protesters across Nigeria march in support of police reform

Hundreds of Nigerians in major cities

In a coordinated #EndSARS protest currently taking place in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Warri, Ibadan, Akwa, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna and Owerri, Nigerians protested against the alleged brutality of the unit, and asked the government to scrap it.

However, counter-protesters have also been seen in major cities such as Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja, marching in support of reforming the unit and keeping them to continue to fight crimes.

The sight of the counter-protesters comes as a surprise as Nigerians have taken to the internet over the past week to direct a wave of discontent at the unit over countless alleged acts of misconduct.

The outrage resulted in the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, ordering for a reorganisation of the unit on Monday, December 4.

Under the new reform, state Commissioners of Police are now the overall heads of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide, meaning the unit now operates in the State and Zonal Commands with immediate effect.

The IGP also ordered for all SARS personnel nationwide to undergo a new training program to be organized in collaboration with some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Local and International NGOs, and other Human Rights Organizations.

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Nigerians have expressed very low confidence in the reorganisation of the unit and called on the government to put an end to it.