Lagos, Nigeria
Police brutality: Nigeria has disbanded a police force notorious for brutality and shakedowns after days of nationwide protests. Set up in 1992 to combat a rise in street crime, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operated with no uniforms or name tags and in recent years was accused of operating like a gang, demanding money from young people and torturing or even killing those who resisted. Authorities said a new unit would be set up, and that former SARS officers would undergo psychological examinations before being allowed to join. But critics say that’s not good enough and note that police have killed at least 10 anti-SARS demonstrators in recent weeks. “The protest,” said activist Okoye Paul, “has moved from ending SARS to ending police brutality in general.”