As IGP unveils SARS replacement next week
As protests against the brutality and extrajudicial killings by men of the rested Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force continues, President Muhammadu Buhari vowed yesterday that no bad element in the disbanded police unit will escape justice.
Buhari stated this in a short broadcast uploaded on his verified Twitter handle, @MBuhari.
He said the disbandment of the notorious SARS was a first step to “extensive police reforms” and ordered a probe into the killing of a young man in Oyo State during the recent protests.
“I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force.
“The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.
“We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.
“We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.
“I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated.
“Meanwhile, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties.
“The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force.”
For his part, the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo said the government was committed to police reforms, discipline erring officers
Osinbajo who stated this while addressing newsmen at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday said he had told protesters demanding police reform that the federal government was committed to it.
“I think the clear message is that there is a government commitment to ensuring that the process of reforms, those who have committed wrongful acts are duly investigated and prosecuted. And that whatever replaces SARS is something that is acceptable, first of all compliance with all of the tenets of the rule of law. And that human right rights…I think these are deep issues that we are all concerned about, I don’t think one person is more concerned than others. I have also been involved in many cases of many young people trying to resolve these kinds of conflicts that have been reported.
…The president spoke about it and spoke in particular that the disbandment of SARS is only the first stage in a full scale reform of the police force.
“I think everyone is now committed to seeing a police force and also a law enforcement that will meet the expectations of Nigerians. The purpose of law enforcement and the purpose of policing is for the safety of lives and livelihood of Nigerians. So we are all committed, I don’t think it’s the exclusive preserve of anyone, we are all very committed.
“The president has also spoken about the prosecution of all law enforcement agents who must have committed wrongful acts. I think all these are commitment but we must also understand that it’s a process, it is not an event. Reforms is a process and we must all commit to it and must stay focused on those issues,” he said.
Meanwhile, the inspector-general general of police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, said the training of a new police unit to replace the defunct SARS will begin next week.
He promised to investigate all cases of brutality by SARS operatives and bring the perpetrators to book.
Adamu who made the declarations when a Nigerian afro hip-pop musician, Mr. David Adeleke aka Davido, visited him in office on Monday over the ongoing #EndSARS protests.
He said with SARS being disbanded, there was need to set up a new structure to carry out the duties of the defunct police unit which is fighting violent crimes.
He said the new outfit would be intelligence-driven, properly trained and only act on occasions that required their attention.
“We just disbanded (SARS) yesterday (Sunday), so protesters should calm down and give us time to fix the problem. The general public will be part of the process of getting a new outfit.
“I’m talking to you so, I will keep talking to many others and get civil societies involved and get their input towards the new unit,” he said.
He said the issue of compensation to the families of those wronged by SARS would be addressed when investigations were concluded.
“We want justice to be done and justice will be done,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Davido had, in a 33 seconds video raised the need for adequate training and psychological re-evaluation of members of the police unit.
“The new Police Act which they just signed even before the #EndSARS protest emphasised psychological evaluation and re-training of officers.
“What we are saying is that the ones that commit these offences, charge them and those that did not, still re-train them,” he said.
