The people of Rivers has taken to the streets to begin a peaceful #ENDSARS protest defying Governor Wike’s order..

EndSARS: Protesters defy Wike, march to demand police reform

Aggrieved Nigerians, on Tuesday, took to the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, to protest against police brutality in defiance to the directive of Nyesom Wike, the governor.

On Monday, Wike had placed a ban on protests against the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigerian police force in the state.

Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), on Sunday, scrapped the anti-robbery squad following nationwide protests against extrajudicial killings and abuse of human rights.

But despite disbanding the unit, protesters across the country continued their calls for the reform of the police.

Reacting to the campaign against SARS, Wike said there was no need for further protests since the unit has been scrapped.

He, therefore, directed law enforcement agencies to ensure that the ban on protests is enforced and that violators are arrested.

But the protesters converged on Port Harcourt, bearing different placards while chanting “EndSARS”.

They insisted the governor had no right to ban peaceful protests.