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Africa News of Thursday, 15 October 2020

Source: bbc.com

Machete gang attacks Nigeria #EndSWAT protesters

Protests against police brutality have been held in major cities Protests against police brutality have been held in major cities

A protest against police violence in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, has been attacked by unidentified men wielding machetes.

Witnesses said several hundred demonstrators were gathered in the city centre on Wednesday when the attack took place.

One protester said some of the assailants were later detained and handed over to the authorities.

Demonstrations have taken place in cities across Nigeria in the past week. The unrest has continued despite the dissolution of a controversial police unit - the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, also known as Sars.

Critics were using the hashtag #EndSARS on Twitter to oppose Sars, and now many are using #EndSWAT to oppose the new police unit that has been created to replace Sars.

The protesters have vowed to remain on the streets.