Nigerian diaspora protest in London against the shooting of unarmed civilians
Ahmed Kaballo
Press TV, London
Emotions reached boiling point after videos of the brutal massacre in Lagos, Nigeria began to circulate on social media. In reaction to these violent videos, the Nigerian diaspora in London called an emergency protest outside the country’s High Commission in London.
Anger has erupted across Nigeria after reports that the Nigerian military opened fire on peaceful protesters during anti-police brutality demonstrations in the country's largest city Lagos.
Human rights group Amnesty International said an investigation has uncovered evidence of at least 12 deaths and hundreds of injuries and accused the police and military of using excessive force.
Yet what has angered many is despite Amnesty's claims, eyewitness accounts and scores of video evidence circulating on social media Nigerian authorities have dismissed claims of any fatalities.
Demonstrators gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in London for a march in solidarity with those in Lagos.
Celebrities and athletes from around the world have spoken up in support of the demonstrators, with Manchester United football player, Odion Ighalo even asking the UK government to take action.
Yet not everyone at the protest supported this call and Omowale Rupert from Pan African Society Community Forum urged caution to those pleading for support from the former colonial power in Nigeria.
What started off as a protest movement against the police brutality of the special anti-robbery squad, referred to as SARS, has now morphed into a much larger movement that is now calling for fundamental change in the way Nigeria is governed.
Yet there are some concerns that as this movement gets bigger and garners international support that there may be external actors who use this as an opportunity to strengthen their own interests.
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