#SARSMUSTGO Update: Demonstrators defy Ban by Rivers Government, Rallies Hit Akure

#ENDSARS protesters in Rivers state on Tuesday defied the order banning all forms of protest issued by the state government on Monday Night.

 

The Rivers State Government had earlier announced a ban on Monday to the ENDSARS protests in the state. This was contained in a statement signed by the commissioner for information, Mr Paulinus Nsirim including all other forms of protests throughout the State.

 

The government says it took the decision because “the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had already scrapped the Special Anti-Robbery Squad”.

The Rivers state government had threatened to arrest any protester, on the grounds that the subject matter of the nationwide agitation, the special anti-robbery squad SARS, had been disbanded and as such, there is no basis for any protest.

But on Tuesday, civil society groups were on the streets of the capital city Port Harcourt marching along with hundreds of youths, through the popular Port Harcourt–Aba express way and from the pleasure park to Isaac Boro park.

Spokesperson of the Rivers state CSO’s, Solomon Lenu in a telephone chat said, they decided to go ahead with the protest because the governor does not have constitutional right, to stop a peaceful protest.

Lenu added that the protest is not about ending the infamous police special unit, but also seeking an end to police brutality in the state, following the recent killing of an upcoming artist, Sleek .

Meanwhile some youths in Ondo state, have stormed major streets of Akure the State capital, seeking an end to SARS activities in the State. The protesters marched through major streets shouting End SARS

 

Armed with placards with different inscriptions, they are protesting against the brutality and extortion by the operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad. They chanted “EndSARS” songs, urging the Federal Government to reform the Nigerian police force. For hours, the protesters caused the traffic snarl on the popular Oja Oba market in Akure.