President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation on Monday amid the persistent nationwide peaceful demonstration against brutality and highhandedness of operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.
Buhari in a short clip posted on his official Twitter handle, @MBuhari, said the disbandment of SARS was only a first step to extensive police reforms, adding that major responsibility of the police was the protection of lives of the people.
He added that his administration will ensure that all those responsible for wrongdoing are brought to justice.
The President stated that an inquiry into the murder of a young man in Oyo State during the protests had been instigated.
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 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.