The Lagos state House of Assembly has called on the federal government to scrap the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The decision was taken at an emergency plenary session by the state House of Assembly on Friday, October 9.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa had called for the session after protesters laid siege in the Assembly complex since Thursday, October 8.
Obasa had addressed the protesters at the early hours of Friday assuring them the legislative house will lend a voice to their demands.
After addressing the #EndSARS protesters led by @mrmacaronii at the early hours of today, Mr.Speaker @mudashiru_obasa has called for an emergency sitting later today to deliberate on way forward as it concerns SARS in Lagos State. pic.twitter.com/Tja4Pqj0fP
— LagosHouseOfAssembly (@lshaofficial) October 9, 2020
Nollywood actor and lawmaker, Desmond Elliot said during the session:
“It has gone beyond calling hotlines. It has gone beyond reforms. The National Assembly really needs to look into it. The IG of Police must seriously consider.
“If the unit we set up is not working for the people, and the people are calling for it to be disbanded, then let us do what they’re saying.”
The Lagos House of Assembly also called for victims of SARS brutality to be properly compensated by the federal government.
The #EndSARS protests have continued unabated in the last week despite assurances from the authorities to address the concerns of Nigerian youths.
On Wednesday, October 7, the Lagos state police commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu banned the notorious unit from detaining suspects in their cells.
The commissioner also directed they must only move out on information and go straight to the venue where they must notify the area commander before carrying out their operations.
Odumosu made these disclosures during a Channels Television Sunrise Daily programme, adding that operatives attached to the tactical squads of the command would have to sign an undertaking committing them to professional best practices as they go about their duties.
On his part, the minister of police affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi has assured Nigerians of his commitments to ensure a comprehensive investigation of all allegation of infractions against SARS personnel.
In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Monday, October 5 and signed by his spokesman, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, the minister promised that the investigations will secure justice for the victims and reprimand erring officers involved in such violation of citizens right and unprofessional conduct.
According to the statement, the minister also directed the leadership of NPF to strengthen outfits responsible for monitoring activities of police personnel to bring about professional and improved service delivery.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
