AFRICA’s leading pro-democracy, policy advocacy and research organisation, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has admonished President Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure the holistic reforms of the Nigeria Police Force, before the expiration of his tenure of office, saying such would become an indelible legacy he would be bequeathing to Nigerians.
In a statement issued on the first anniversary of the #EndSARS protest and signed by CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, while expressing displeasure over the poor response from the government to the development issues generated from the demonstration, said accountable and humane policing which formed the fulcrum of the protest, are part of the broader good governance and social justice deficits currently holding the country down.
Tribune Online recalls that between October 7 and 22, 2020, a nationwide protest broke out against police brutality, particularly regarding the alleged atrocities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), leading to the disbandment of the police intelligence unit, and the institution of panels of inquiries nationwide to investigate the matter and recommend sanction and appropriate compensation for the victims.
Part of the recommendations put forth to forestall a reoccurrence of the protest includes adequate compensation for victims of police brutality and their families, subjecting erring police officers to accountability, and ensuring the holistic reform of the Nigeria Police, through the upward review of their salary structure, construction of modern or the renovation of the existing police divisional commands, and provision of health insurance scheme for the personnel and their families, among others.
Hassan expressed displeasure that despite the clear message that the protest sent, the government has not exhibited an iota of seriousness to address the trigger factors, which if continued to be ignored, can reignite a similar experience in no distant time.
The statement reads in part: “Our record shows that out of the 36 states and the FCT, 29 states did set up the Panel of Inquiry to hear complaints against erring police officers, particularly personnel of the disbanded SARS. It is on record that 18 states have completed sittings, however, they did not submit the report of the panels. Ekiti is the only state that has completed the process, made its report public, and paid all compensations awarded to victims. Lagos State, though suspended its sitting indefinitely, has reportedly been visiting the families and relatives of only the police officers that were killed in the protest for payment of compensations.”
“Given the government’s kid-glove attention to the recommendations of #EndSARS protest, CDD is also calling for Independent Panel of Inquiry to look at the over 750 petitions previously submitted against SARS, identify the rogue officers, recommend their prosecution, and other measures deemed necessary intended to further heal open wounds and facilitate closure for families and victims of the brutality,” she said.
“CDD is also worried that one year after, no single erring police officer or that of the Nigerian Army has been held accountable regarding the killing of peaceful and armless protesters during the protest, in spite of the panels of inquiry. Of more heart-breaking is the October 20 Lekki Toll Gate Experience, which is still largely being denied and shrouded in official denials. We therefore call for an Independent Panel of Inquiry to look into this, in the interest of justice and social cohesion,” the statement added.
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