The Senate on Tuesday asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to address the nation immediately on the current nationwide protests by youths against police brutality and bad governance.
The
Senate also directed the police to offer protection to the #EndSARS protesters
to prevent hoodlums from hijacking their genuine action.
The
Senate decision was sequel to a point of order by Senator Biodun Olujimi,
titled, “#EndSARS: The need for a comprehensive reform”
The
federal lawmakers urged the protesters to stop their agitation on the streets
while the Federal Government address their demands.They also urged Buhari to
immediately set up a judicial panel of enquiry made up of eminent Nigerians
that would be respected by the youths to identify the notorious SARS operatives
and ensure their arrest and prosecution. The resolution followed a motion
sponsored by Biodun Olujimi, senator representing Ekiti south.
Last
week, the president said the scrapping of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS)
is the first step to reforming the police. This followed nationwide protests
against the unit which is notorious for human rights abuses.
But
the protests against police brutality have continued.
While
moving the motion on the floor of the senate on Tuesday, Olujimi said police
brutality could be traced to the colonial days.
The
senator expressed dismay that despite the dissolution of the special
anti-robbery squad (SARS) by Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP),
police officers have continued their assault on citizens.
“They
have increased with intensity and violence with compatriots losing their lives.
The protest has grown to include the demands for good governance,” she said.
“In
June 2020, Amnesty International, in a report documented that between January
2017 and May 2020, there were 82 cases of torture, ill-treatment and extra-judicial
killings by SARS.
“That
latest #EndSARS protests which have assumed a global dimension began on the 3rd
of October 2020 from the video of the SARS officer who shot a young man in
Delta state.”
The
senator called for an improved welfare for police officers.
“The
barracks are in very bad shape, they must be up to living standards. Training
and medical insurance to all members of the Nigeria Police Force,” Olujimi
said.
The
motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Ahmad
Lawan.
Post a comment