Policemen arrested for attacking Nigeria protesters

The authorities in Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos, have arrested police officers who attacked protesters on Monday in ongoing demonstrations against police brutality.

Local media outlets report that the four policemen had fired live ammunition at protesters in the city's Surulere area.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, named the four policemen who he said were facing a disciplinary trial:

“I am very sorry about this experience. All the erring officers involved have been arrested; Inspector Bagou Michael; Inspector Ekpoudom Etop; Sgt Nnamdi Majura and Sgt. Akinyemi

Benson and they are facing an orderly room trial immediately.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also said that the state had established a 200m naira ($521,000; £404,000) fund to compensate victims of police brutality.

The federal government has banned protests in the capital, Abuja, citing public safety measures to tackle Covid-19.

Demonstrations against police brutality have taken place in cities across Nigeria in the past week. The protests have continued despite authorities agreeing to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars).

The unit has been accused of extrajudicial killings, extortion and torture, especially of young people.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AP