Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Expresses Solidarity with Nigerian Partners
Protesters at the endSARS protest in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo by Kaizenify | Wikimedia Creative Commons
Protests resumed on Friday against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Nigeria. When the peaceful protests began last month, they were met with military violence. At least 69 people were killed and hundreds more injured.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) issued a statement of solidarity today with the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) and Nigerian partners like Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication (CISCOPE).
“For years, Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has operated with impunity, despite accusations of systematic human rights violations, including extrajudicial executions, torture, arbitrary detentions, kidnappings, and extortion…The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) welcomes the PCN’s prophetic statement urging the federal government to warn security agencies against using force to disperse protesters and calling for ‘an end to police brutality, extortion, abuse of power, and extrajudicial killing in every form.'”
The Presbyterian Hunger Program is able to support partners like CISCOPE in Nigeria thanks to your gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing.