Nigeria's Lagos imposes 24-hour curfew amid protests against police

[October 20, 2020]    LAGOS (Reuters) - The Nigerian state of Lagos on Tuesday imposed a 24-hour curfew, saying that protests against alleged police brutality had turned violent.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the curfew would affect all parts of the state, including Lagos, Africa's largest city and a business hub, and only essential workers were exempted.

"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," the governor said.

Thousands of Nigerians calling for an end to alleged brutality and for law enforcement reforms have taken to the streets every day for more than a week across the country, posing a challenge to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Protests have continued despite the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Oct. 11 following accusations of human rights abuses by the unit.

The southern state of Edo on Monday imposed a similar curfew after a jail break by prisoners during anti-police protests.

Early on in the protests, police opened fire on protesters in the Surulere area of Lagos and some other places. Armed gangs have also attacked protesters in Lagos and the capital Abuja.

(Reporting by Alexis Akwagyiram and Libby George; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

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