• Police to commence training of new unit taking over from SARS next week ― IGP

• We don’t need executive order to disband SARS, Buhari’s aide tells protesters

• Makinde asks police to stay away from protesters in Oyo

• Buhari ordered police to harass #EndSARS protesters —Aisha Yesufu

Ibe Pascal Arogorn

Immediate release of all arrested protesters

Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families

Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of Police misconduct (within 10days)

In line with police act, psychological evaluation and retaining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed

Increase Police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens.

Police to commence training of new unit taking over from SARS next week ― IGP

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Monday disclosed that the training of a new police unit to take over from the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will begin next week.

IGP Adamu made the disclosure when received popular music artist, David Adeleke aka Davido, in his office at Force headquarters over the ongoing EndSARS protests.

He noted that with the scrapping of SARS, there was need to get a new structure to carry out the duties of the defunct police unit, which is fighting violent crimes.

Adamu assured that the new outfit would be intelligence -driven, properly trained and only act on special occasions that require their attention.

He said the unit would be made up of fresh personnel with a fresh orientation and not officers from the scrapped unit.

Noting that opportunities would be created for members of the public to participate in and make inputs to the formation of the new unit, the IGP said this was the first time they have decisively taken the decision to dissolve SARS and called for calm as they continue to resolve all the issues.

He said Davido‘s visit to talk about the issue is the best way to deal with the current problem promising that with the formation of the new unit corrections would be taken from the experience of SARS.

“We just disbanded SARS yesterday. So protesters should calm down and give us time to fix the problem. The general public will be part of the process of getting a new outfit.

“I’m talking to you so I will keep talking to many others and get civil societies involved and get their input towards the new unit,” Adamu said.

He promised to investigate all cases of brutality and bring perpetrators to book saying, “The issue of compensation to the families of those affected by SARS’ would be addressed when investigations are concluded.

“We want justice to be done and justice will be done,” he said.

He said officers of the disbanded outfit would be retrained and given other responsibilities in the Force, but will not be reabsorbed into the new unit.

“We admit the trust gap is wide but we will work to bridge that gap,” he said.

Earlier, Davido called for every officer who is part of SARS be relieved of their duties and demanded the immediate release of all arrested protesters.

He also called for justice for the victims of SARS brutality and compensation for their families.

We don’t need executive order to disband SARS, Buhari’s aide tells protesters

The Personal Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmed, Monday said that with the Inspector General of Police, IGP,
Mohammed Adamu’s declaration of the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the country does not need an executive order to dissolve the police unit.

Disclosing this via his twitter handle, Bashir said: “The defunct SARS was a unit of the Police, it was an administrative creation of the IG of Police, not created by any executive order or legislative act. We actually don’t need an executive order to fully disband the unit
when the IGP with full authority has already disbanded it.

“The SARS is no more, fully dissolved which made it a thing of the past. The defunct Police unit ended immediately the IGP made the announcement of its total dissolution. #EndSARS

“We should understand that not all Police officers are SARS operatives, I understand the genuine concerns, and the President has said it earlier the disbanding of SARS is only the first step in government’s commitment to extensive Police reform, and that is what we really need.

“All the defunct SARS operatives are police officers, but not all the police officers are SARS operatives. The SARS was a unit of the Nigeria Police Force, and the unit was dissolved yesterday. SARS doesn’t exist now. #EndSARS”.

The defunct SARS was a unit of the Police, it was an administrative creation of the IG of Police, not created by any executive order or legislative act.
We actually don’t need an executive order to fully disband the unit when the IGP with full authority has already disbanded it.

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad)
October 12, 2020

The SARS is no more, fully dissolved which made it a thing of the past. The defunct Police unit ended immediately the IGP made the announcement of its total dissolution.

#EndSARS
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad)
October 12, 2020

We should understand that not all Police officers are SARS operatives, I understand the genuine concerns, and the President has said it earlier the disbanding of SARS is only the first step in government’s commitment to extensive Police reform, and that is what we really need.
https://t.co/80Wk6vRb7E
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad)
October 12, 2020

All the defunct SARS operatives are police officers, but not all the police officers are SARS operatives. The SARS was a unit of the Nigeria Police Force, and the unit was dissolved yesterday. SARS doesn’t exist now. #EndSARS

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad)
October 12, 2020

Makinde asks police to stay away from protesters in Oyo

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has ordered the police to stay away from protesters in the state in order to forestall further tension and loss of lives.

The governor said this in a broadcast on Monday .

The PUNCH had reported that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, claimed that “ hoodlums attacked the Soun’ s palace in Ogbomoso on Sunday.

He said they disrupted a meeting he was attending with the Soun of Ogbomoso , Oba Oladunni Oyewumi but was fortunate to be rescued by security operatives alongside the monarch, and other chiefs who were at the meeting .
Makinde said , “
The past few days have been ones of grief for the people of Oyo State . I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of the parents and families of those who have died or are hospitalised as a result of the actions of the Nigeria Police Force during these EndSARS protests.

“ As I stated clearly in my earlier statement , peaceful protests are a legitimate way for citizens to make their grievances known to the government and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to be hurt during such protests.

“ Last night , I held an emergency meeting with the heads of the main security agencies in Oyo State . I have again restated my position on the ongoing protests to them .
We have agreed that the police should take a back seat as other security agencies take the frontlines in securing the lives of protesters , at this time .

“ Therefore , we have deployed members of Operation Burst to the hot spots , especially Ogbomoso, to ensure that as people protest, they will not be harassed or brutalised.

“ I want to reassure the good people of Oyo State , that I am doing everything within my power , to ensure that no further lives are lost.

“ I urge all residents of Oyo State to go about their activities without fear. To the protesters , I say , you can please continue to protest peacefully.

“ These are trying times for all of us and I pray that God continues to guide us and give us the wisdom to navigate through them . God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria . “

Buhari ordered police to harass #EndSARS protesters —Aisha Yesufu

One of the leading voices of the #EndSARS protests rocking different parts of the country , Aisha Yesufu , has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the men of the Nigeria Police Force to attack protesters expressing their dissatisfaction over the brutality and extrajudicial killings by the operatives of the now -disbanded Special Anti -Robbery Squad of the police.

Yesufu, who spoke in a Facebook Live Chat with The PUNCH on Monday afternoon , said had the President not given the instruction, he would have sanctioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for the several assaults on #EndSARS protesters by his men.

The PUNCH had reported that the attendant street protests which led to the disbandment of SARS turned violent in some parts of the country , with a protester identified as Jimoh Isiaka, shot dead in Ogbomoso , Oyo State on Saturday.

Buhari in a video on Monday subsequently said he had ordered a probe into the killing of the young man while noting that officials of the disbanded team found to be responsible for wrongful acts would be brought to justice .

Yesufu during the chat hailed Nigerian youths for “ breaking the yoke of oppression” by trooping out to protest all over the country.

She said , “ There is an order from President Muhammadu Buhari that they should shoot and clamp on protesters . He is the Commander- in- Chief and he is the one who gives the final orders .

“ The President has been on the streets several times protesting. He is the one who was teargassed in Kano when he went to protest that he lost the election with his running mate , Chief Chuba Okadigbo , who later died from the gas inhalation.

“ He went to court . Femi Falana was his pro bono lawyer and it was said that the police have no right disturbing anybody, all they have to do is to protect people and it is so sad that it is the same President today who is clamping down on protesters . ”

“ The reason I feel so convinced is the fact that Major General Muhammadu Buhari is the Commander- in- Chief and all the buck stops at his table . Anybody acting contrary to his instructions will definitely get a query and you see they aren’ t getting any query . That means they are doing exactly what he wants them to do.

“ If for example , it was not his order for them to clamp on protesters , by now the IG of Police should be facing a query , he is either suspended or sacked. That is what a leader does when a subordinate does something contrary to what he wants, ” she insisted.

The activist also said the #EndSARS movement is an opportunity for national reformation .

“ This is the time of reformation , this is the time of overhauling and that is exactly what is happening now . The youths have always been waiting for crumbs and these people would never give them the power , ” she added .

Obaseki lauds dissolution of SARS, pledges release of arrested protesters

The Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki on Monday, hailed the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for yielding to the demand of Nigerians to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

In a statement, the governor said the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad is a testament to people power, which is the beauty of democracy.

He said: “I appreciate the Nigeria Police Force for listening to the yearnings and concerns of the Nigerian people by disbanding its SARS unit in response to the #ENDSARS protests.

“We are appealing to the youths to reciprocate the responsiveness of the Police leadership by de-escalating the confrontations.”

“As for the peaceful protesters arrested in different locations across Edo State, I have opened discussions with the State Police Command to effect their release,” Obaseki assured.

“Once again, the resolution of this episode is a testament to people power, which is the beauty of democracy,” he added.

Protesters killed policeman, injured two -Lagos PPRO

A policeman identified as Erinfolami Ayodeji has been reportedly killed by protesters in Lagos State .

The PUNCH gathered that two other cops are in critical conditions at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Surulere.

A senior police officer told our correspondent that the protesters sacked the Anti -Kidnapping Section of the Lagos State Police Command at Surulere.

Our correspondent learnt that this was after policemen from the Area C Command shot dead a protester .

The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi , confirmed the incident.

He identified the deceased as Erinfolami Ayodeji , adding that the command would release a statement soon .

EndSARS protesters in court for attempted murder, vandalising N100m Lexus

The police in Ogun State have charged three #EndSARS protesters with attempted murder and vandalising a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle worth N 100 million.

The three protesters – Adeniji Sodiq ( 25) , Mutairu Faruq ( 19) , and Olatoye Joseph ( 23) – were also accused of using dangerous weapons .

The defendants were brought before a Magistrate Court in Abeokuta on Monday . However, the plea of the defendants was not taken.

In the suit marked M /SC/29/2020, the police preferred four charges against the defendants .

One of the charges read , “
That you , Adeniji Sodiq ‘ m ’ , Mutairu Faruq ‘ m ’ , Olatoye Olalekan Josep ‘ m ’ on the same date , time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did attempt to kill one Ajagbusi Taofik ‘ m ’ by hitting him with dangerous weapons and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 320( 1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State , 2006.
“ That you , Adeniji Sodiq ‘ m ’ , Mutairu Faruq ‘ m ’ , Olatoye Olalekan Josep ‘ m ’ on the same date , time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did unlawfully and maliciously damaged Lexus 570 Bullet proof 2019 model valued N 100, 000, 000 property of one Alhaji Olabode Kacheef Oyedele ‘ m ’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State , 2006. ”

The police applied for an ex parte order to detain the three defendants for 60 days to allow them to investigate the case thoroughly .
However, the court ordered that they be detained for 14 days.

The Ogun State Police Command had last week arrested 31 protesters . About 28 of them were released while three were charged .