Grammy award-winning American singer, Beyonce has announced her support for the #EndSARS protest going in Nigeria, announcing she is working with youth groups to support the protesters.
Taking to her Instagram page to make the announcement, the biggest female singer of contemporary times also condemned the violence meted out to civilians by the Police and Military in Nigeria as “senseless.”
“I am heartbroken to see the senseless brutality taking place in Nigeria. We have been working on partnerships with youth organisations to support those protesting for change,” she wrote.
Beyonce’s support comes after the Military on Tuesday night opened fire on a group of protesters at Leki Toll Gate, reportedly killing twenty people. However, the government has denied the killings.
“We stand with you. Please visit Beyonce.com for a list of organizations to show your support. To our Nigerian sisters and brothers, we stand with you,” she stated.
The #EndSARS protest is a citizens’ revolt against a regime of brutalities against civilians by the country’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) formed in 1992 to fight crime.
For several weeks, citizens have remained on the streets insisting on the disbandment of SARS.
President Muhamadu Buhari has maintained a curious silence throughout the protests until today when pressure mounted on him to speak against the brutal shooting of the protesters in Lagos on Tuesday night.
Tuesday night’s gun violence by the Police at Leki Toll Gate jolted the world to the extreme extents that the Police and military can go. The army reportedly opened fire on unarmed civilians.
Already, the United Nations has condemned the gun violence and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to book. However, the regional body, ECOWAS, which is headed by Ghana’s President, Akufo-Addo, has remained silent.