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Nigeria: Scepticism and revolt after the dissolution of SARS

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October 14, 2020

After days of protest, a police unit known for committing crimes is dissolved and replaced. In Lagos, people don't believe that the move with end police brutality. The dissolution of SARS prompted fears in volatile parts of the country.

SARS was repeatedly accused of corruption, torture and killings. Street protesters demanded an end to the police unit. On social media, the hashtag #EndSARS trended. On Sunday, the government said SARS would be dissolved. And replaced it with a Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT). SWAT will "fill the gaps" left by SARS, the government said. Some Nigerians are reacting under the hashtag #EndSWAT. They fear that SWAT is just a new name for SARS. However, in volatile northeastern Nigeria, the public have one the opposite way. They want to protest the dissolution of SARS.
 

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