Nigeria protesters break curfew amid gunfire, chaos in Lagos

Nigeria's anti-police protesters stayed on streets in Lagos on Wednesday, breaking government curfew following a night of chaotic violence in which demonstrators were fired upon, sparking global outr.

Shots were fired as young demonstrators set up barrices by Lekki toll plaza in Lagos, where protesters were fired upon Tuesday night, causing injuries and an unkwn number of deaths.

re were reports of gunfire across Lagos, Nigeria's largest city of 14 million, including on highway to airport, at a major bus station, outside offices of a television station. Demonstrations and gunfire were also reported in several or Nigerian cities, including capital city, Abuja.

nationwide protests against police brutality have rocked Nigeria for more than two weeks and demonstrators' demands have widened to include calls for an end to corruption, accountable government and respect for human rights in Africa's most populous nation of 196 million. Despite massive oil wealth and one of Africa's largest ecomies, Nigeria's people suffer widespre poverty and lack of basic services, as a result of widespre corruption, charge rights groups.

Nigerians are reeling from video from Tuesday night at Lekki toll plaza in which protesters could be heard singing national anm in darkness. Shots can be heard followed by sounds of people running away.

It's t clear who was firing shots heard in video, but Nigeria's security forces have been blamed for at least 10 deaths during protests by Amnesty International, which has accused police and military of using excessive force against demonstrators. re have also been widespre reports of youthful protesters being attacked by armed gangs, who demonstrators say sent by police to break up protests.

Lagos goverr early Wednesday confirmed numerous injuries for Lekki shooting, but didn't say who was responsible.

“This is toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark tes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger. I’ve just concluded visits to hospitals with victims of this unfortunate shooting incident at Lekki, ” tweeted Obajide Sanwo-Olu.

He h earlier warned on Twitter that protests against police brutality h “degenerated into a monster that is threatening well-being of our society.”

President Muhammu Buhari has remained silent on protests and violence sweeping across country.

Nigeria's spiraling crisis has drawn international attention, including from U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden who on deunced shootings .

“I urge President Buhari and Nigerian military to cease violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has alrey resulted in several deaths,” wrote Biden. “My heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one in violence. United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in ir democracy. I encour government to eng in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to dress se long-standing grievances and work toger for a more just and inclusive Nigeria.”

Before shootings at Lekki, Nigeria's police statement warned that security forces would w “exercise full powers of law to prevent any furr attempt on lives and property of citizens.”

reports of fatal shootings in Lekki come after two chaotic weeks of mounting protests leing to more widespre social unrest. On Tuesday, authorities said nearly 2,000 inmates h broken out of jail after crowds attacked two correctional facilities a day earlier.

Inspector-General of Police said it was deploying anti-riot police across Nigeria and ordered forces to strengn security around correctional facilities.

curfew in Lagos began Tuesday afteron and most businesses and shops are closed across city but demonstrators are erecting barrices in streets. curfew was anunced after a police station was burned down in city and two people were shot de by police.

Lagos has been center of protests, with demonstrators at times blocking access to airport and barricing ros leing to country’s main ports.

A curfew also went into effect in Benin City after a pair of attacks on correctional facilities that left 1,993 inmates missing. Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Manga said large, armed crowds h attacked two prisons, subduing guards on duty. It was unclear what prisons’ exact populations h been before attack.

“Most of inmates held at centers are convicted criminals serving terms for various criminal offenses, awaiting execution or standing trial for violent crimes,” he said in a statement.

protests began two weeks ago after a video circulated showing a man being beaten, apparently by police officers of Special Anti-Robbery Squ, kwn as SARS.

Young protesters marched in cities across Nigeria, under banner #EndSARS. In response, government anunced it would ban anti-robbery squ, which for several years human rights groups have blamed for widespre abuses, including torture and killings.

demonstrators have t been satisfied with disbandment of SARS unit and are demanding an end to abuses and respect for human rights in all parts of police force. protests have stopped traffic in Lagos, capital Abuja and many or large cities in Nigeria, a country of 196 million people.