Tag: #ENDSARS - Page 11 - African News Today

Comprehensive Police Reform an Answer to Police Brutality – Secondus

16Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security

Comprehensive Police Reform an Answer to Police Brutality – Secondus

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently implement comprehensive police reform as a lasting solution to incessant allegations of police brutality rather than merely disbanding the infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus made the call after a closed-door meeting between the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Senate Caucus of the PDP, noting that the party stands by the five-point demands of the demonstrators against police highhandedness. “We have also discussed the issue of EndSARS and SWAT. We believe that comprehensive police and policing reforms will be an answer to police brutality. “We also endorse the five terms raised by the protesters. We also appeal to the governm...

#EndSARS: Army Declare Readiness to Step in as Protests Persist

15Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Violence

#EndSARS: Army Declare Readiness to Step in as Protests Persist

The Nigerian army has expressed its readiness to move in against troublemakers as nationwide protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings rage on. Thousands of Nigerian youths have taken to the streets over the past week to protest against the actions of operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and demanding for immediate police reform. At least 10 people have died and scores injured during protest, which have been resisted by the police. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had responded to the demands of the protesters by disbanding SARS. The IGP subsequently announced the formation of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to fill void left by the disbandment of SARS. Despite the move, protests have continued unabated. Reacting to the violence t...

#EndSARS: Senate President Asks Youths to End Protests

15Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, Legislature, News, Nigeria, Youths

#EndSARS: Senate President Asks Youths to End Protests

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday, advised the youths engaging in anti-SARS protests to put an end to their agitations on the streets. He said ending the protests would enable the President Muhammadu Buhari to work on the implementation of their five-point agenda. Lawan also enjoined the President to expedite actions on the reform for peace to reign. Lawan said, “Nigerians have the right to a peaceful demonstration when they feel very strongly about issues. “They can do so to call the attention of the leaders of this country for the appropriate actions to be taken. “The government has responded, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been disbanded. “All the five demands of the protesters have been accepted. ” I believe that when protesters’ demands...

Police Must Protect #EndSARS Protesters- Falana Tells FG Amid Attack by Hoodlums

15Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Youths

Police Must Protect #EndSARS Protesters- Falana Tells FG Amid Attack by Hoodlums

Says Govt should dialogue with patriots Femi Falana, SAN has called on the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to deploy the Nigeria Police and ensure safety of #EndSARS protesters who have come under attack by hoodlums on Wednesday. Speaking on Wednesday during a television programme, the human rights lawyer urged the government to dialogue with the protesters and provide lasting solutions to their demands. He added that if the government could negotiate with terrorists and kidnappers, how much more patriotic citizens who have served to shine light on urgent need for police reform. Mammoth crowd of youths have thronged to the streets across the country over the past few days, demanding for an end to police brutality and extrajudicia...

#EndSARS: Presidential Panel Approves Protesters’ Demands

13Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Youths

#EndSARS: Presidential Panel Approves Protesters’ Demands

The Presidency has disclosed that the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad has approved the five-point demands submitted by youths embarking on nationwide protests across the nation. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina who disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Presidential panel on police reforms swings into action, plays 5-point demand of protesters' said the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu convened a meeting following the request by President Muhammadu Buhari. The statement reads: “Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Moh...

SARS Disbandment only the First Step in Police Reform – Buhari

12Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, News, Nigeria, Security

SARS Disbandment only the First Step in Police Reform – Buhari

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 gen...

11Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Crime, Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Youths

Breaking: IGP Disbands SARS Nationwide

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has announced the immediate dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) effective from Sunday, 11th October. He made the announcement around 1.30 pm at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He said the police unit is dissolved across all formations, the 36 state commands, and the Federal Capital Territory. He said officers and men currently serving in the unit will be redeployed. He said new policing arrangements to address the offences of armed robbery and other violent crimes will be presented in due course. Details shortly...

#EndSARS: SERAP Asks Commonwealth to Sanction Nigeria Over Attacks on Protesters

11Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Security, Violence

#EndSARS: SERAP Asks Commonwealth to Sanction Nigeria Over Attacks on Protesters

Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, to hold Nigerian authorities to account for persistent attacks on protesters demanding for an end to SARS. The group criticised many reports of human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria by security operatives. This was disclosed in a letter to Scotland by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director who asked for suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth as a measure to induce the government to respect the values of human rights, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, Vanguard reports. According to the letter, SERAP said, “A government that attacks its own citizens for peaceful protests severely undermines its credibility as a democratic regi...

#EndSARS: Sweden Speaks Against Police Attacks on Protesters

10Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Violence

#EndSARS: Sweden Speaks Against Police Attacks on Protesters

Following reports of attack on peaceful protesters demanding for Police reform, embassy of Sweden in Nigeria has condemned the attacks. The reaction was contained in a tweet on Twitter on Saturday. The Swedish embassy said, “Sweden condemns all forms of violence and acknowledges the #humanright to peaceful protests. "It is worrying to hear about alleged cases of brutality from #SARS in Nigeria and reports of abuse need to be followed up by the Nigerian legal system. #DriveForDemocracy.” The call comes after reports of the Nigerian Police Force shooting at peaceful protesters in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, leading to the death of one Jimoh Isiaq on Saturday. Police also fired teargas at demonstrators in the country’s capital, Abuja. There has been a public outcry in Nigeria, dem...

Lagos Assembly Throws Weight Behind #EndSARS Protests

9Oct

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Human Rights, Nigeria, Safety, Security

Lagos Assembly Throws Weight Behind #EndSARS Protests

Lagos State House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind the #EndSARS protest with a demand on the proscription of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad. They also demanded the introduction of a new and well-structured security outfit by the Federal Government and called on Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to provide protection for the protesters while they express their grievances. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made these requests at an emergency sitting of the House. Among the seven-point resolution passed after an extensive deliberation was also that the National Assembly should carry out a probe of the allegations against F-SARS including killing, maiming and dehumanising of Nigerians. “The Commissioner of Police should stop unwarranted molestation of ou...