
Authorities in Nigeria’s economic hub announced a 24-hour curfew on October 20, 2020 as violence took place in widespread protests that have rocked cities across the country. Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced only “essential service providers and first responders” would be allowed on the street from 4 pm. He took it to Twitter and wrote “I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state”. He further wrote “We will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.”
Demonstrators have taken part in daily protests across the country for nearly two weeks over widespread claims of kidnapping, harassment and extortion by a police unit know as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).