PRESS RELEASE 15th August 2018 #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG

We, the members of #EndSARS, #ReformPoliceNG Movement, receive with measured optimism, the response of the Acting President –Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to the widespread outcries of citizens to the incessant brutality, corruption, illegal detentions, extortion and overall unprofessionalism of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Nigeria Police.

Indeed, the overwhelming positive response of citizens to the AgPresident’s directive to overhaul SARS, reflects the pervasive nature of the actions of SARS/Nigeria Police in our nation and that governmental actions were long overdue.

The AgPresident’s directive should be viewed as the first of many steps needed in our collective resolve to radically REFORM the Nigerian Police, in a manner that is process-driven, long-term, holistic and all encompassing, so that it is at par with or exceeds global and continental best practice.

Based on precedent, the leadership of Nigeria Police had either disregarded previous presidential directives or paid lip service to them. There have also been instances of reports by Amnesty International, of gross abuse of human rights by the Nigeria Police, which were jettisoned after directives were issued.

These historical experiences of inconsistency by Nigeria Police leadership and officers, make it imperative for more vigilance by citizens, local and international CSOs, to ensure that the issues raised by the AgPresident are implemented.

An important first step, would be an independent inquiry by NHRC, for victims of Police/SARS abuse, to seek redress and justice. Complementary to this, is enforcing commensurate consequences to SARS/Police officers found guilty of sundry offences. The rule of law must be sacrosanct.

We also wish to reiterate that SARS is a low hanging fruit from the dysfunctions within the Nigerian Police. The challenges facing the Nigerian Police are deeply rooted in skewed cultural, historical, political, structural and institutional underpinnings. These can only be overcome with the right political will and genuine commitment on the part of the Executive and NASS, to fundamental, far-reaching reforms on security architecture; culture, values, funding, management structure, recruiting, training, infrastructure, inter-sectionalism, welfare, wages, overall living and working conditions etc.

SARS reflects the prevailing culture of lawlessness, violence and leadership ineptitude of the Nigeria Police and the society at large. Reforming the Nigeria Police will start among others, with a review of the constitution, on the modalities of the Nigeria Police leadership appointment (and disengagement) procedures. This is to ensure the most competent and ethical minds are appointed into leadership positions and generally, into the police as an entity.

The IGP so appointed must have security of tenure, operational autonomy, and consequently, loyalty, not to the president, political party, regime in power or select politicians or persons of influence, but rather, to the law, to the Nigerian people and institutional, democratic structures.

The culture of violence (characterized by SARS), prevails because the leadership of the Nigeria Police is single-handedly appointed. This often manifests in abuse of power, where Nigeria Police represses citizens, the press, and other voices deemed to be critical of the regime in power or even people with economic, political and social influence.

Once again, we thank the AgPresident for taking the needed first step in rebuilding trust. Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of these reforms are the next critical steps. For these, we need all Nigerians to continue to be vigilant and share their experiences as we continue to collaborate towards a holistic Police Reform.

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Recap of Demands of #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG Movement:

i. That an Independent Panel of Inquiry be established to investigate the operations and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad;

ii. That all operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad found to have abused their powers be brought to book

iii. That we get carried along with all proceedings related to the investigation of the heinous crimes against the human rights abuses of the people in order to transmit the assurances to the millions of Nigerians waiting to take to the street in protest.

iv. That the position of the people on the scrap of the SARS program which is not backed by an Act is not negotiable. We have done our research and analysis to confirm that it is a lost case to reform this unit and we have no more patient to watch our fellow citizens die needlessly to the impunity of SARS.

v. That the immediate and effective Reform of the Police be triggered starting with the repeal and replacement of the Police Act and the reconstitution and restructuring of the Police Service Commission which is currently sterile.

VI. That the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015 be fully implemented by the states to curb the abuses of human rights, decongest our prisons and enforce documentation of criminals and offenses at the Police station backed with a central database to sanitize the chaos we have today.

For The #ENDSARS #ReformPoliceNG Movement:

1) Segun Awosanya, Convener.

2) Nelson Olanipekun, Citizens Gavel

3) Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido, Social Justice Advocate — (iSERVE2050)

4) Okechukwu Nwaguma, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN)

5) Adebayo Raphael, Our Mumu Don Do