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#EndSARS: Campaigners demand Executive Order
By Modupe Shodeinde
Campaigners of the #EndSARS protest have demanded for an Executive Order after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS).
The disbandment of the Federal-SARS nationwide came after days of intense campaign for the scrapping of the unit notorious for the killing, extortion, harrassment and violation of rights of the citizens.
The #EndSARS campaigners however have insisted that they would not relent until the President Muhammadu Buhari issues an Executive Order scrapping the unit.
Raphael Adebayo, a leader of the protest, in an interview with The Punch stated that they were not convinced by the IGP’s statement.
“We are not going to be fooled by the IG’s announcement. The President should either address Nigerians by announcing through an executive order, that he is disbanding the terrorist unit in the Nigeria Police Force or more protest would happen and it would continue to grow until the President takes responsibility.
“At the end of the day, this is deeper than ending SARS; this is about getting justice for all the people killed by SARS and the IG’s statement did not address that.”
Leader of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, also said the protesters do not believe that the dissolution is real.
“As I’m speaking with you, there is an ongoing protest in Abuja and it is massive. They are heading to the Force headquarters because they are not convinced that the dissolution of SARS is real. People are very sceptical, cynical about the announcement,” he said.
He stated that the campaign was also a demand for compensation for victims of police brutality and rights violations, and also the public prosecution of errant officers.
In reaction to the disbandment, the Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said this move was not enough and for a long and sustainable change, the police authorities must take further actions.
“For a sustainable and long-lasting change, the police authorities must take the following steps:
“Immediate investigation and prosecution of all police officers who have been accused of grave human rights violations such as extra judicial executions, torture, and other ill-treatment.
“A clear and concise timeline for the implementation of the reforms to end police atrocities is key to safeguarding trust between Nigerians and the authorities.”
