Australian High Commissioner, Claire Ireland Apologizes Over Her Comment About #EndSARS Protest

Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Claire Ireland has apologized over her comment about the ongoing protest against the extrajudicial activities of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Nigeria.

KanyiDaily had reported that there is an ongoing nationwide #EndSARS protest against the SARS tactical unit of the Nigerian Police Force over its brutality, illegal arrest, extortion, extra-judicial killings, among others.

In a tweet on Thursday morning, Claire Ireland had advice Australian citizens to avoid the protest and follow the advice of local authorities.

“REVISED MSG: There are ongoing protests in Abuja, Lagos and other locations in Nigeria. Avoid these protests and follow the advice of local authorities.”

However, after being called out by Nigerians over the tweet, she apologized and atated she didn’t mean to imply that the protests were violent.

“I would like to apologise for earlier message. We did not mean to imply the protests were violent in general. We respect people’s right to peacefully protest.”

I would like to apologise for earlier message. We did not mean to imply the protests were violent in general. We respect people’s right to peacefully protest.

— Claire Ireland (@AusHCAbuja) October 15, 2020

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has just revealed that his driver, Yohanna Shankuk, was killed during the #EndSARS protest at Berger roundabout in Abuja.