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PHOTOS: Prince George’s Nigerian community rallies against killings, corruption in Nigeria

The protestors were raising awareness about #ENDSARS and police brutality in the country

Prince George’s Nigerian community came together to raise awareness about the recent killings and protests against police brutality in Nigeria.

A rally of about 50 people gathered at Mr. PG today (Oct. 25) to express solidarity with those protesting against the violence in the country. 

“We are doing this rally because we are Nigerians in diaspora and we can relate to what is happening back home,” says Alex Ovien, one of the organizers of the event.

“We want to let people back home know that we are in support of what they are doing. We are in support of the fact they are speaking and want to get their voice out there.”

At least 51 civilians have been killed in Nigeria's unrest following days of peaceful protests over police abuses. On Oct. 20 Amnesty International reported that security forces in the megacity of Lagos had fatally shot protesters who were demonstrating against police brutality despite a new curfew going into effect.

“I am here and it feels like I am safe but the truth is I have family back home and Nigeria will always be home,” says Ibukun Oasanmi, who attended the protest. 

“If there is anything we can do to raise awareness for not only the government to stand up but to also end bad governance. The international community needs to stand up because this is a human rights violation. Killing innocent protestors should not be condoned anywhere in the world.”

She says it's important for the community in Prince George to be aware of the situation in Nigeria. 

"If we all say I’m so removed from the situation, then nothing is going to happen. Prince George is far away from Nigeria and far away from Ottawa but we can’t keep quiet,"says Oasanmi. "We are one world and one people."

The demonstrations began early this month with calls for Nigeria’s government to shut down the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a police unit known as SARS. The squad was launched to fight crime, but it carried out torture and killings, according to Amnesty International.

The #EndSARS campaign spread across the country and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's government announced that it would disband the SARS unit. The protest persisted with demonstrators calling for more widespread reforms of the police and an end to corruption.

“They sent the government to address the issue and they sent the police to gun down the protestors who are harmless. We are supporting them because we have family and we are scared for our family and their lives,” says Chiamaka Ezedebego, adding that some of the people attending the event have lost loved ones in the violence.

“They are not safe. We are trying to say EndSARS end police brutality. We want a better Nigeria. We want a safe place to call home.”

The demonstrators in Nigeria have not been satisfied with the disbandment of the SARS unit and are demanding an end to abuses and respect for human rights in all parts of the police force. The protests have stopped traffic in Lagos, the capital Abuja and many other large cities in Nigeria, a country of 196 million people.

“We are here today because of police brutality and SARS -- the Special Anti-robbery Squad who harasses people. If you look good they will come and search you, beat you up, and kill you and nobody asks any questions,” explains attendee Cornelius Idoko.

“Now we say reform SARS. You cannot build a house on a bad foundation. For us to reform SARS we need to reform the country, the system, so that it works for everybody.”

- with files from The Associated Press, The Canadian Press