credit: unphoto / UN Secretary-General António Guterres  

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS –  NEW  YORK –  UN Secretary-General António Guterres  called  for an end to reported police violence in  Nigeria  in the wake of news that protesters had been shot dead and wounded. Violence has escalated sharply this week after after unrest in the west African nation, with witnesses accusing soldiers of shooting and killing several demonstrators.  Protesters are calling for the disbanding of the  Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS) a Nigerian security force formed in 1992 with the intent of focusing on crimes related to robbery and firearms.  The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was closely following recent developments across Nigeria. Guterres said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, that he condemned “the violent escalation on 20 October in Lagos which resulted in multiple deaths and caused many injuries.” According to witnesses, Nigerian security forces opened fire on Tuesday night in Africa’s largest city, as protests continued over SARA, a now-disbanded and discredited police unit.  The UN chief expressed his condolences to the families of the bereaved, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.  Guterres also urged security forces “to act at all times with maximum restraint while calling on protestors to demonstrate peacefully and to refrain from violence.”

“The Secretary-General encourages the authorities to swiftly explore avenues to de-escalate the situation. He reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to support national efforts towards finding a solution.”

-Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General

AFRICAN UNION “Strongly Condemns” Deadly Police Violence in NIGERIA

The African Union Commission strongly condemns the  ongoing violence in Nigeria during protests in Lagos, Nigeria that has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.  Moussa Faki Mahama, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission,  in a statement Wednesday, also offered his  “sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured”.     Many have accused the SARS police squad of unlawful killings, brutality over the years.  Amnesty International has reported cases of  extrajudicial killings, torture and other illegal activities.