dissolution Archives — NEWSVERGE

SARS dissolution: A test of government’s responsiveness?

Chijioke Okoronkwo — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:25:25 +0000

On Oct. 8, a wave of protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force erupted in many cities across the country.

The protests were triggered by a video trending online showing a young man allegedly shot by SARS operatives at Ughelli, Delta; an allegation the police denied.

The predominantly young remonstrators with the hastag #ENDSARS sought the dissolution of the unit and end to police brutality.

By most accounts, the protests seemed to have been accentuated by resentments built up by previous and recent alleged incidents of extra-judicial killings, harassment and extortion on citizens by SARS operatives.

Worthy of note, before the situation snowballed into street protests, the Federal Government had waded in with a view to finding a lasting and assuaging solution.

On Oct. 4, at the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mohammed Adamu, at his residence over concerns on the activities of SARS.

Adamu was prompted to ban SARS, other tactical squads from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.

The vice president said he was concerned and angry that young men and women, who were arrested, were in some cases, maimed or killed by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said that the president was displeased about reports on activities of SARS and resolved to ensure reforms.

“Such violations are completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians.

“The arrests, maiming or killings of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong.

“It is unlawful and illegal and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted.

“Today, I had a meeting with the I-G and we reviewed several of these issues.

“The president is very concerned about it; he wants to see a reform.’’

Again, on Oct. 10, Osinbajo met with the 1-G, Director-General, Department of State Services(DSS), Yusuf Bichi and Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, to determine the next steps toward addressing concerns of Nigerians on the excesses of SARS.

The vice president and the I-G afterward briefed Buhari who gave further directives to the I-G on the matter.

Buhari said he was being briefed regularly on the reform efforts aimed at ending police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the police are fully accountable to the people.

The president urged all citizens to show more understanding and patience as government would continue to do its best in protecting lives and property of Nigerians.

“I met again with the I-G tonight; our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt.

“I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the police are fully accountable to the people.

“The I-G already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, and ensure erring personnel are brought to justice.

“I appeal for patience and calm; even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.’’

On Oct. 11, as the protests raged and neared crescendo, Nigerians got pacifying news from the I-G; he announced the dissolution of SARS across police commands in the country.

Adamu said that the dissolution was in response to the yearnings of Nigerians.

He said that by the disbandment, all officers and men of the defunct SARS would be redeployed.

The I-G said that the force was mindful of the need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was the core mandate of the erstwhile squad.

Adamu said that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps by the dissolution of SARS had evolved and would be announced in due course.

“As part of measures to prevent a recurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a ‘Citizens’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum’ is being formed.’’

He said the forum would regularly interface with police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public.

“In addition, the force is constituting an Investigation Team which shall include civil society organisations and human rights bodies to work with the police in investigating alleged cases of human rights violations,’’ Adamu said.

The inspector-general commended Nigerians, who genuinely expressed their concerns for a better policing orientation in an organised, patriotic and civil manner.

The I-G pledged the commitment of the force to bequeath to the country, a Police Force and system that would be accountable and professional in service delivery.

The dissolution of the unit has elicited reactions from the president, vice president, governors and other notable Nigerians even as protests remained active in some areas.

Buhari said that disbanding of SARS was the first step to extensive police reforms by his administration

He also directed that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be brought to justice.

”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,” the president said.

Osinbajo, on his part, said that there was a clear message of government’s commitment to ensuring reforms.

He said that those who had committed wrongful acts would be duly investigated and prosecuted.

“ And that whatever replaces SARS is something that is acceptable, and comply with all tenets of the rule of law.

“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.

“I think it is a good moment for the police force and for all of us to try and reform the police; we are all committed to it,’’ he said.

In his reaction, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta described the dissolution of SARS as a welcome development.

Sharing similar sentiments, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the dissolution of SARS by the I-G was a victory for Nigerian youths.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu have all backed the dissolution of SARS.

More so, the Voice of Nigeria Youths (VONY), a youth group, applauded Buhari, Osinbajo and the I-G on the dissolution of SARS.

The group’s founder, Temilade Okesanjo, congratulated Nigerian youths for lending their voices online and offline to the need to #ENDSARS and reform the Nigerian Police Force agitation.

Nonetheless, some protesters, while appreciating government’s responsiveness, say more pragmatic steps were needed to soothe their anger.

They demand immediate release of all arrested protesters; justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families; setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct within 10 days.

Also, the protesters demand that in line with the new police act, psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS, should be carried out before redeployment.

They also demanded higher pay for police officer, and equipping the police adequately to boost the protection of lives and property of citizens.

Perceptive observers say that the government has been reasonably responsive in handling the issue.

They hold that investigating and bringing to book all ex-SARS operatives involved in extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses will go a long way in smothering the flames in the streets.

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SARS: Gbajabiamila commends Buhari, I-G for dissolution, promises police reforms

Femi Ogunshola — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 20:38:37 +0000

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for listening to the call by some Nigerians to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

He also said that the House would go ahead with police reforms bill before it.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi, said that the dissolution of SARS was a necessary response by the government to the outcry arising from its multiple documented excesses.

He commended Nigerians, particularly the youth home and abroad, who saw a wrong and sought to make it right, who saw injustice and acted to put an end to it.

According to him, the dissolution of SARS and the broader, ongoing reforms of the police that will follow, are a testament to the passion and resilience of a generation of Nigerians.

He said the generation was determined not to accept or tolerate injustice in whatever form.

The Speaker called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu to take practical steps to support and enforce the policy pronouncement.

“These steps are necessary to assure the Nigerian people that the dissolution of the SARS is sincere and well-intentioned, and not merely meant to quell the ongoing protests across the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) must also act to identify and punish those operatives of SARS involved in the most severe cases of abuse of rights, brutality and murder.”

Gbajabiamila noted with displeasure the police’s manhandling of some protesters who came out in numbers to protest peacefully.

The Speaker assured Nigerians that the dissolution of SARS would not preclude the ongoing efforts by the House to effect reforms of the police through legislation.

He said there was a pressing need to have an independent system for monitoring police actions and holding police officers to proper account for failures to follow the law and the police code.

“The House will continue its work to legislate lasting solutions to the problems of policing in Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila said the House would meet with the leadership of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and select Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for joint efforts at developing a legislative proposal.

“Whatever legislation emerges from this collaboration will be presented to the House within a 30-day timeline at the special session of the House on Wednesday,” he said.

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SARS dissolution, an opportunity for peoples-focused police – Atiku

Emmanuel Oloniruha — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 06:48:22 +0000

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday said that the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has offered Nigeria the opportunity to envision a police and policing system that will fulfill the interest of Nigerians.

In a statement issued by his Media Office and signed by Mr Paul lbe, in Abuja on Sunday, Abubakar said that the envisaged comprehensive overhaul of the police should take into consideration the needs of regional, state and council components.

He, however, observed that redeploying the bad eggs from the disbanded SARS to other units of the Police may not augur well as they are capable of polluting those units.

Abubakar said that the affected officers need to be properly screened and retrained to ensure that they do not come into their new assignments with the same mindset for which the disbanded unit was notorious for.

He proposed an independent judicial inquiry into the activities of SARS that would ensure “justice for victims of extrajudicial killings and punishment for officers involved in such dastardly acts.”

The former vice president also suggested the opening of the dreaded SARS cells for scrutiny and stock taking of detainees.

Abubakar paid tribute to the Nigerian youths for their resilience in exerting pressure on the police authorities to disband the FSARS in response to public agitations to end abuses by the anti-robbery squad.

“This was the right thing to do. A system that brutally eliminates our youths is not one to hold on to, and neither can we be proud of it.

“Now we can start on a clean sheet to envision an elite police unit similar to the SWAT team in America and a comprehensive overhaul of the police and policing system that is peoples-focused,” he said.

Abubakar added that “the will of the people is the bulwark of the democratic system and those in authority cannot ignore the will of the people without undermining democracy itself.”

Abubakar congratulated Nigerian youths on achieving their resolve, reminding them that if they stand united they could achieve much more.
He enjoined the youths to be steadfast in ensuring good governance in an egalitarian society.

He commended the courage and patriotism of Nigerian youths that took to the streets and the social media to call for an end to the brutal abuses by SARS operatives.

“Citizens who engaged in peaceful protests without molesting innocent people are heroes of our democracy.

“I must commend the courage and tenacity of these youths for holding rogue elements in the police force accountable.

“Apathy in the face of abuses promotes impunity, and therefore these young men and women deserve our respect for championing the disbandment of SARS,” Abubakar said.

He paid tribute to Jimoh Isiaq who was killed in Ogbomoso in the course of the #EndSARS protests and all allegedly extra judicially killed over the years, saying “I hope that their sacrifices would not be in vain.”

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Group urges dissolution of Katsina State PDP leadership, forensic audit

NEWSVERGE — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 23:32:31 +0000

Concerned PDP Stakeholders Forum in Katsina State has urged the party’s National Working Committee to dissolve the state leadership and constitute a caretaker committee to save the party from total destruction.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr AbdulAziz Halliru Kafin-soli on Monday in Katsina.

“The caretaker committee should be given six months reconciliation period within which to reconcile all members who have been maligned by the current leadership of the party.

“The caretaker committee will then conduct credible congresses leading to the election of new leadership of the party in the state.

“This will give the teeming supporters of PDP in the state an opportunity to elect leaders of their choices at various levels to re-ensure confidence of our members.

“We also call on the National Working Committee to immediately order a forensic audit of the books of account of the party as we believed that no organisation can survive without accountability.

“The NWC should make available to all PDP members what was given to the party in terms of assistance over the years particularly during the 2019 elections.

“We call on the National Working Committee to act to save the party, as it is on its way to total destruction in the state,” he said.

The group alleged that majority of the members of the State’s Elders and Caucus Committees were not involved virtually in all the party activities during the 2019 general elections, which led to the party’s defeat.

“The woeful failure of PDP during the 2019 general elections in Katsina State was generally believed to have been caused by the shoddy manner the state Chairman, who is also the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the party handled the entire process,” he said.

However, the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Majigiri, declined comments, as he refused to answer mobile phone calls or respond to SMS text message sent to him on the matter.

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