Protesters in Ughelli broke the head of a police corporal after a demonstration turned violent on Thursday afternoon, escallating an already tense strife between police and citizens amidst a campaign to end the notorious police special anti-robbery squad, SARS.

The protesters were marching around Otovwodo area of the central Delta community when they encountered a team of police officers, a witness told Peoples Gazette. 

The officers then fired tear gas and live ammunition, breaking a teenager’s legs. The incident was caught on video, which has now spread through the Internet.

The protesters then retaliated, killing the officer by breaking his head, footage showed on social media. It was not immediately clear whether or not the corporal was involved in the use of lethal weapons against the protesters, but witnesses said he was on duty at the time.  

Vehicles were destroyed when mayhem broke out following confrontation. 

The identity of the corporal was not immediately disclosed. A spokesperson for the police in Delta did not immediately return a request seeking comments Thursday night.

Nigerians have been campaigning for the police to dissolve its SARS unit over years of rights abuses and corruption. The police have said the unit plays a critical role in internal security, especially amidst rising violent crimes across the country.

Protests were held in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, Port-Harcourt, Ughelli and other parts of the country today, with celebrities pouring out to show support in the Lagos procession.