#EndSARS Protest: Buhari Assures of Punishment for Culpable Operatives
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday assured that all culpable bad eggs in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police would be brought to book.
Buhari made the assurance as the anti-SARS protest continued nationwide.
He explained that the disbandment of the SARS was just one measure that is different from other steps to reform the entire Police Force, adding that those found wanting would not escape justice.
Buhari spoke in Abuja during the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES) in which government plans to create jobs for 774,000 in the 774 local government areas in the country.
He said, “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 remain the protection of lives and the 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.”
It was gathered that some protesters may have lost their lives in Lagos during the anti SARS protest.
For instance, a Policeman and a civilian were said to have been killed as the protest turned bloody in Surulere, Lagos.
In Delta State, 14 persons arrested in connection with the #EndSARS protest last week Thursday in Ughelli North Local Government Area were charged to court.
In Lagos, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement disclosed that a group of hoodlums stormed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Hogan Bassey Street, Surulere, to free two suspects standing trial for alleged kidnapping.
According to the statement, “They shot three officers. One of them, Inspector Erinfolami Ayodeji, unfortunately, died. The others are Inspectors Ekein Joshua and Peter Agabi.
“The hoodlums, while escaping, fired into the air. A bystander was hit. He also died – sadly.”
In another statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, three Police officers were shot during the protest leading to the death of one of them.
#EndSARS protesters in their thousands had also converged at the Lekki Tollgate and made movement impossible.
This was also the same in Ikeja, Ebute Metta, Oshodi, Epe/Ita-Opo, Mushin, Ketu, Ikosi, Magodo, Shangisha, Ogba, Maryland, Chevron, Airport Road, Ajah bus stop, Alausa, Ago Palace Way, Festac, Agege, and Ajegunle.
The protesters demanded the release of all those who were arrested as a result of the protest.
They also argued that the disbandment by the Police IG was a mere change of nomenclature as was the case in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Buhari made the assurance as the anti-SARS protest continued nationwide.
He explained that the disbandment of the SARS was just one measure that is different from other steps to reform the entire Police Force, adding that those found wanting would not escape justice.
Buhari spoke in Abuja during the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES) in which government plans to create jobs for 774,000 in the 774 local government areas in the country.
He said, “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 remain the protection of lives and the 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.”
It was gathered that some protesters may have lost their lives in Lagos during the anti SARS protest.
For instance, a Policeman and a civilian were said to have been killed as the protest turned bloody in Surulere, Lagos.
In Delta State, 14 persons arrested in connection with the #EndSARS protest last week Thursday in Ughelli North Local Government Area were charged to court.
In Lagos, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement disclosed that a group of hoodlums stormed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Hogan Bassey Street, Surulere, to free two suspects standing trial for alleged kidnapping.
According to the statement, “They shot three officers. One of them, Inspector Erinfolami Ayodeji, unfortunately, died. The others are Inspectors Ekein Joshua and Peter Agabi.
“The hoodlums, while escaping, fired into the air. A bystander was hit. He also died – sadly.”
In another statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, three Police officers were shot during the protest leading to the death of one of them.
#EndSARS protesters in their thousands had also converged at the Lekki Tollgate and made movement impossible.
This was also the same in Ikeja, Ebute Metta, Oshodi, Epe/Ita-Opo, Mushin, Ketu, Ikosi, Magodo, Shangisha, Ogba, Maryland, Chevron, Airport Road, Ajah bus stop, Alausa, Ago Palace Way, Festac, Agege, and Ajegunle.
The protesters demanded the release of all those who were arrested as a result of the protest.
They also argued that the disbandment by the Police IG was a mere change of nomenclature as was the case in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
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