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Lagos Descends Into Chaos!

Published October 22nd, 2020 - 06:53 GMT

The violence in Nigeria followed two weeks of largely peaceful demonstrations that prompted  President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the undercover police unit that critics have long blasted as abusive.

But protests against police brutality have turned violent. Global outrage mounted Wednesday after security forces in Africa's largest city opened fire on a crowd of protesters. Ten people died and dozens were wounded.  

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed for "understanding and calm".  But protests against police brutality have continued in many Nigerian cities despite a call from the president and curfews enforced by armed security forces.

Politicians and celebrities around the globe sent words of support to the protesters.

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Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

A protester holds a flag stained with fake blood during a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

A protester holds a flag stained with fake blood during a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

Protesters chant and sing solidarity songs as they barricade barricade the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 p

Protesters chant and sing solidarity songs as they barricade barricade the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

A general view of a deserted toll-gate after10 days of occupation by protesters in Nigeria on October 21, 2020, after the security forces opened fire on a peaceful sit-in protest on October 20, 2020 in which Amnesty International said several people were killed. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiraling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. SOPHIE BOUILLON / AF

A general view of a deserted toll-gate after10 days of occupation by protesters in Nigeria on October 21, 2020, after the security forces opened fire on a peaceful sit-in protest on October 20, 2020 in which Amnesty International said several people were killed. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiraling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. SOPHIE BOUILLON / AFP

A Nigerian based in South Africa shows the middle finger and words "EndSars" shaved on his head during a protest outside the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP

A Nigerian based in South Africa shows the middle finger and words "EndSars" shaved on his head during a protest outside the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP

A Nigerian woman based in South Africa weep as others comfort her during a protest outside their embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP

A Nigerian woman based in South Africa weep as others comfort her during a protest outside their embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP

A protester raise the Nigerian national flag at a barricade mounted by potesters on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of

A protester raise the Nigerian national flag at a barricade mounted by potesters on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
A protester holds a flag stained with fake blood during a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protesters chant and sing solidarity songs as they barricade barricade the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 p
A general view of a deserted toll-gate after10 days of occupation by protesters in Nigeria on October 21, 2020, after the security forces opened fire on a peaceful sit-in protest on October 20, 2020 in which Amnesty International said several people were killed. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiraling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. SOPHIE BOUILLON / AF
A Nigerian based in South Africa shows the middle finger and words "EndSars" shaved on his head during a protest outside the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP
A Nigerian woman based in South Africa weep as others comfort her during a protest outside their embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP
A protester raise the Nigerian national flag at a barricade mounted by potesters on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
A protester holds a flag stained with fake blood during a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
A protester holds a flag stained with fake blood during a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protesters chant and sing solidarity songs as they barricade barricade the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 p
Protesters chant and sing solidarity songs as they barricade barricade the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP
A general view of a deserted toll-gate after10 days of occupation by protesters in Nigeria on October 21, 2020, after the security forces opened fire on a peaceful sit-in protest on October 20, 2020 in which Amnesty International said several people were killed. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiraling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. SOPHIE BOUILLON / AF
A general view of a deserted toll-gate after10 days of occupation by protesters in Nigeria on October 21, 2020, after the security forces opened fire on a peaceful sit-in protest on October 20, 2020 in which Amnesty International said several people were killed. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiraling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. SOPHIE BOUILLON / AFP
A Nigerian based in South Africa shows the middle finger and words "EndSars" shaved on his head during a protest outside the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP
A Nigerian based in South Africa shows the middle finger and words "EndSars" shaved on his head during a protest outside the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP
A Nigerian woman based in South Africa weep as others comfort her during a protest outside their embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP
A Nigerian woman based in South Africa weep as others comfort her during a protest outside their embassy in Pretoria on October 21, 2020 in solidarity with Nigerian youth who are demanding an end to police brutality in the form of The Nigerian Police Force Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Phill Magakoe / AFP
A protester raise the Nigerian national flag at a barricade mounted by potesters on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of
A protester raise the Nigerian national flag at a barricade mounted by potesters on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to protest against police brutality and the killing of protesters by the military, at Magboro, Ogun State, on October 21, 2020. Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on October 21, 2020 and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on the evening of October 20, 2020, to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP
Protestors attend a demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission against police brutality in Lagos in London on October 21, 2020. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an end to what he called "brutality" by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused "multiple deaths" and many injuries. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

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