Jamaican dancehall artiste Popcaan has joined with fans condemning Nigeria’s federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as citizens, in their thosuands, continue to demand an end to police brutality, corruption and oppression in the western African country.

Never shying away from using his fame to tackle social injustices, Popcaan said the messages and images coming out of Nigeria were heartbreaking and encouraged protesters to be strong.

“To my fans in Nigeria, I just want you all to know that my prayers are with you during this tough time, keep the faith and stay strong. Prayers up for my Nigerian brothers and sisters!” he shared with his 2.3 million Instagram followers on Tuesday (October 13).

The anti-SARS protests have claimed the lives of at least 10 people in less that two weeks as the Nigerian Police Force, seemingly backed by a quivering government, responded to thousands of disgruntled citizens with brute force.

The renewed protests were sparked by a viral video on Saturday, October 3, which showed SARS operatives shooting a young Nigerian man before seizing his motor vehicle in the town of Ughelli in the country’s southern Delta State.

The man died of his injuries, triggering nationwide outrage at the continued inaction of the government to address repeated reports of unlawful arrests, illegal profiling, torture and murder by SARS operatives. Adding insult to injury, the man who recorded the viral video was arrested despite authorities denying the clips were real.

Over the weekend, young Nigerians took to Twitter to raise awareness with the #EndSARS hashtag, which garnered over 28 million tweets and intensified calls for the unit to be disbanded.

By Thursday, October 8, Nigerians had taken to the streets in the biggest national protest in more than a decade as local celebrities Davido, WizKid, Runtown, Falz and others lent their voices to the growing movement.

#EndSARS quickly become the number trending topic on Twitter with international stars Nas, Cardi B, Kanye West, John Boyega, Trey Songz, Big Sean, Mesut Ozil and Marcus Rashford helping to attract international media attention.

Commercial hubs Abuja and Lagos were brought to a standstill as young Nigerians demonstrated by blocking major roadways. Similar protests also erupted in the Oyo, Rivers, Delta, Anambra, Ogun, and Osun states.

Against mounting pressure, President Bashir Ahmad confirmed an announcement Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Sunday, October 11, that SARS had been disbanded—many Nigerians have taken the news with a heavy grain of salt. This, as Adamu had previously ‘re-organised’ SARS in 2017 after public outcry for the unit’s heavyhanded approach towards young, working-class citizens. 

The country’s collective dismay at the disbandment was not without cause as just two days later, Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Police Force, Frank Mba, announced the setting up of a Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) to replace SARS. 

The news has sent Nigerians back on the street, despite bans on civil protests in several states, and a fresh hashtag #SARSMustEnd!, taking its place.

Human rights watchdog Amnesty International said the government had not gone far enough, pointing to previous unsuccessful attempts to break up the trigger-happy force. The group pointed several reports of SARS officials detaining young Nigerians illegally and extorting money from their relations.

The Nigerian disapora overseas has also sprung into action, as anti-SARS protests have emerged in New York, Chicago, London, and Dublin.

On Wednesday, October 14, there have been mounting calls on social media, for IG Adamu to resign and for the newly commissioned SWAT to be dissolved.

There are mounting fears that amid the widespread protests, authorities will move to shut down the internet in Nigeria, in an attempt to cut communication and minimise reports of intimidation and police-sanctioned violence.