Nigerian escapees numbered near 2,000

LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities said Tuesday that nearly 2,000 inmates had broken out of jail after crowds attacked two prisons, while officials announced a 24-hour curfew in the megacity of Lagos in an attempt to quell the unrest stemming from two weeks of protests against police brutality.

The inspector-general of police deployed anti-riot police across Africa’s most populous nation and ordered forces to strengthen security around Nigerian correctional facilities.

Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu warned on Twitter that the protests against police brutality in Nigeria have “degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society.”

Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Manga said large, armed crowds had attacked two correctional facilities, subduing the guards on duty. At last count, 1,993 inmates were missing, he said Tuesday.

The protests began two weeks ago after a video circulated showing a man being beaten, apparently by police officers of the special anti-robbery squad, known as SARS.

Young protesters marched in cities across Nigeria, under the banner #EndSARS. In response, the government announced it would ban the anti-robbery squad.

The demonstrators have not been satisfied with the disbandment of the unit and are demanding an end to abuses and respect for human rights in all parts of the police force. Protests continued Tuesday.