Google Backs #ENDSARS Protests, Makes Demand From FG

Google in Africa has backed the ongoing #ENDSARS protests across major states in Nigeria, West Africa.

Naija News reports that protesting youths in Nigeria are agitating for the end to Police brutalization and extra judicial killings of Nigerians. The protesters have been on the streets for six days now, protesting the brutalities, humiliation, and extortion of Nigerians, especially the youths.

The protesters demanded an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Anthony Ogbizi, using a hashtag: #EndSARS.

On Sunday, October 11, 2020, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu disbanded SARS following a widespread protest from Nigerians worldwide.

However, since the announcement that SARS has been scrapped, the protesters have refused to leave the streets, which a Presidential Advisory Committee says might force the Federal Government to take drastic measures against the protesting youths.

On Thursday, Google supported the movement in a tweet on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, it stated that technology company “strongly oppose oppression, brutality, and intimidation.”

Google, therefore, called on the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure “a speedy resolution to the current situation.”

The company tweeted: “We strongly oppose oppression, brutality & intimidation. We believe a fair and impartial police force is a critical element of a stable society, & that abuse of power infringes on people’s democratic & human rights. We urge a speedy resolution to the current situation.“

We strongly oppose oppression, brutality & intimidation. We believe a fair and impartial police force is a critical element of a stable society, & that abuse of power infringes on people’s democratic & human rights. We urge a speedy resolution to the current situation. #EndsSARS

— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) October 15, 2020