American Gospel musician, Jonathan McReynolds, who had previously lent his voice and solidarity to the police brutality in Nigeria, recently prayed over the unrest in Lagos.
In recent times, Nigeria has been subject to a serious incidence of police brutality which has claimed an alarming number of lives over the years.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS of the Nigerian Police Force, had been the subject of online protests and agitation by the Nigerian social media community few years ago with allegations of assault and harassment particularly on Nigerian youth.
These protests trended across social media under the hashtag “#EndSARS” and garnered national attention with the government promising Police reforms in response to the agitation.
The clamoring picked up steam two weeks ago after graphic images and videos of police brutality started making social media rounds. It became such a widespread organic movement that certain aspects of operations were shut down.
On Tuesday 20th October 2020, at about 7pm, the movement was disorganized after soldiers were released to disperse protesters from the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, which resulted in many deaths and injury of unarmed protesters.
The city of Lagos has since been in an anarchic state of unrest with several reports of popular landmarks being set ablaze, as well as gunfire from armed authorities.
In light of this, Jonathan McReynolds, in solidarity with the Nigerian youths, posted on his Instagram saying:
May your struggles keep you near the cross. May your troubles show that you need God. MAY YOUR BATTLES END THE WAY THEY SHOULD.
May your bad days prove that God is good. 🙏🏾🇳🇬 #Lekki God please do your thing
We pray for the peace of God to be restored to the streets of the city of Lagos.