Police Must Stop Usage Of Force Against #SARSMustEndNow Protesters – FG

The Federal Government has finally accepted the 5-point request of protesters calling for an end to police brutality in Nigeria.

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina revealed this recently.

According to him, a recent stakeholders meeting agreed to meet the demands of the protesters, including halting the use of force against protesters and the unconditional release of arrested citizens.

He added that the sanctity of life of every Nigerian and the role of the Police in protecting this right will also be genuinely addressed in the nearest future.

His words, “Following directives by President Muhammadu Buhari on dissolution of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and immediate response to yearnings of citizens, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, convened a meeting with stakeholders, agreeing to meet demands, which include halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.”

“The meeting was convened by the Office of the Inspector General of Police and National Human Rights Commission and that it was a multi-stakeholders’ forum attended by leaders and representatives of civil society organisations in Nigeria, activists from the entertainment industry and the ENDSARS movement and development partners.”

“The Ministry of Police Affairs and Police Service Commission were also present at the meeting that affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the government.

“A communiqué of Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) said:

“Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, there arose the need for stakeholder engagement to build trust and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

“The agitations also brought to the fore, the need to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“The Forum was addressed by the Inspector General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

“The Forum collectively: welcomed the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Reaffirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest; Further affirmed the sanctity of life of every Nigerian and the role of the Police in protecting this right; Affirms that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the Government.’

“The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment.”