Over 120,000 sign petition asking UK to sanction FG

A petition asking the United Kingdom to sanction the federal government for human rights abuses over the #EndSARS movement has received over 120,000 signatures.

The UK was asked to implement sanctions that allow “individuals and entities that violate human rights around the world to be targeted” as the Nigerian government and the police has allegedly violated the rights of agitators protesting against police brutality.

As at the time of filing this report, the petition has received over 123,122 signatures. The petition reads;

The Government should explore using the new sanctions regime that allows individuals and entities that violate human rights around the world to be targeted, to impose sanctions on members of the Nigerian government and police force involved in any human rights abuses by the Nigerian police.

There have been deeply concerning reports of a Nigerian police force unit (SARS) engaging in illegal activities and human rights abuses, and there have also been reports of police firing at protestors calling for SARS to be disbanded.

Deploying sanctions would provide accountability for and be a deterrent to anyone involved in violations of human rights.

This is coming hours after soldiers shot and killed many peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos state.

The shooting led to the death of several people as many were also injured.

Security operatives had stormed the scene of the protest after the Lagos Government announced a 24-hour curfew and opened fire, with the intent to kill many people.

As many turned up to social media to share the Live video clips of the tragic incident, many people could be seen with various degrees of injuries. The scale of the damage could not be ascertained.