Baron Ike
President Muhammadu Buhari has broken his silence on the ongoing protests and clamours to scrap the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit in the Nigeria Police over extra-judicial killings, extortions and other unethical practices.
In a series of tweets Friday night, directed Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector- General of Police to carryout forthwith, reform in the police and SARS in particular.
The President, who called for calm, said he had on several occasions, ordered the police boss to end brutality and other unethical conducts among the police, particularly the rank and file, pointing out that the vast majority of men and women of the Nigeria Police are patriotic and committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.
“I appeal for patience and calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.
“I met again with the IGP tonight. Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt. I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the Police are fully accountable to the people.
“The IG already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, & ensure erring personnel are brought to justice. I appeal for patience and calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.
“The vast majority of men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are patriotic and committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians, and we will continue to support them to do their job”, President Buhari said in a tweet late Friday night.
As the protests, which spread across various Nigerian States continue to gain ground, with lawmakers, football stars backing the call for abolishment of SARS, the Nigeria Police has said it will carryout reforms in the organization, but ruled out scrapping the SARS, citing its involvement in the anti terrorism fight.