#EndSARS: End The Protests, Hoodlums Have Taken Over – NGF

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has urged #EndSARS protesters to end their nationwide protests.

The forum revealed this via a communiqué issued by its Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, in Abuja on Monday after its 20th emergency meeting.

According to him, the fact that criminals and hoodlums have hijacked the protests by attacking innocent citizens, looting, and destroying properties calls for immediate concern from the people and the government.

He added that even if the forum agrees with the call by demonstrators for improved governance, the way innocent people keep dying on a daily basis has to stop.

His words, “The continuation of the protest has exposed the fragile economic fundamentals of the country, particularly as criminal elements and hoodlums have hijacked the protests by maiming innocent citizens, looting and destroying properties.”

“The governors resolved to activate a judicial panel of inquiry to receive all cases of police brutality by officers of the disbanded SARS unit.

“Each state is also expected to kick-start a compensation mechanism for all victims.”

“The forum resolved to endorse the call by demonstrators for improved governance, predicated on an enforcement regime that takes into cognisance the fundamental human rights and liberties of all citizens in the country.”

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The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a Nigerian Police Force unit under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Anthony Ogbizi. Since 2012, SARS has come under controversy for being linked to acts of extortion, torture, framing and blackmail.

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad was founded in 1992 by former police commissioner Simeon Danladi Midenda. The major reason SARS was formed was when Col. Rindam, a Nigerian Army Colonel was killed by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.

SARS is one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department which was established to detain, investigate and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping and other forms of crimes.

During its formation the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was known to operate covertly. SARS operatives were not allowed to wear police uniform, publicly carry guns or have walkie-talkies. They were given unmarked vehicles with sometimes no license plates or private plate numbers during duty.