….Gridlock as #EndSARS protesters block Lagos highway

Ibe Pascal Arogorn

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat on Friday told #EndSARS protesters that Nigeria is not a Kangaroo country and that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, cannot just be disbanded like that as they are doing their jobs.

He, however, stated that the prosecution of ‘bad eggs’ who do not adhere to the professional standards in discharging their duties is the way to protect citizens and allow the police do its job.

Hamzat made the call today while addressing the “#EndSARS protesters” in Alausa, saying that “the only way to stop the unjustified arrest of our youth just because of their looks or phones is for the police force to find those bad eggs spoiling their names and prosecute them”.

The Deputy Governor noted that every decent Nigerian should be upset with the overzealous act of the security operatives, adding that such must stop.

Hamzat said calling for the end of the operative was not the best solution to end the menace, adding that the police were important for the safety of the people, adding that “The police only need to purge themselves of the bad eggs among them.”

The Deputy Governor remarked that the police must remain, as they have a job to do, saying, “we are not against the police fighting robbers but what we are saying is don’t unjustly hurt our children because of their look.

“The police or law enforcement agencies must do their job. In doing that job, they cannot trample on the rights of other citizens, it is not just right. So, our youths, because of their look, or because somebody is carrying a computer, you cannot say someone is guilty because of his look or whatever he is carrying. So, the police job is to arrest and send them for prosecution if they do something wrong. So, that tenet must be adhere to.”

He noted that “every decent Nigerian will be upset if a legitimate young man or woman doing his job is attacked and maimed for no reason”.

The Deputy Governor urged the protesters to allow for due process to take place, adding that FSARS could not just be disbanded, “they must do their jobs and must be done in a lawful manner, this is not a kangaroo country, we are a country of process.”

He advised the protesters to be peaceful in their protest without breaking the law, saying, “because in breaking the law, breaking property of government or society, we will be hurting ourselves. Let us be orderly, let us be clear on what we are talking about, we cannot block the road what if there is someone going to the hospital, the person will die. We must look at the society at large’. I say clearly that it is wrong for any law enforcement agent to actually maim or criminalized another Nigerian citizen without a reasonable cause.

.Gridlock as #EndSARS protesters block Lagos highway

Many commuters were stranded around the Alausa and Berger areas in Lagos State as protesters blocked the Alausa section of the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway.

The PUNCH gathered that the protesters moved from the entrance of the Lagos House of Assembly to block the highway on Friday.

The placards-carrying protesters barricaded the highway from the Secretariat bus-stop, opposite Magodo Phase II.

The effect of the gridlock had begun to extend to the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway.

The PUNCH had reported that thousands of Nigerians are protesting against police brutality in the country .

Apart from Lagos , protests are taking place across the country , including in the capital Abuja and Osun State .

The movement initially targeted the federal Special Anti- Robbery Squad , widely accused of unlawful arrests , torture , and murder, but has since broadened to include all police forces.

While the SARS unit was suspended on Sunday , groups such as Amnesty International said the government had not gone far enough, pointing to previous unsuccessful attempts to ban the force .

Several Nigerian celebrities have joined the protest and also joined the protesters to keep vigil at the Lagos House of Assembly.

Proscribe FSARS, secure protesters, Lagos Assembly tells FG, IGP

Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Federal Government and Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to proscribe Federal Special Anti-Robbery while asking for a new and well-structured security outfit in its place.

The House also called on the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, to provide protection for the protesters while they express their grievances.

The call was made at an emergency sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, to add a voice to the current call across the nation for an end to the widely reported alleged inhuman activities of the body.

The call was in tandem with the protest organised by some residents in Lagos demanding for an end to F-SARS.

The seven points resolution of the House reads, “The Commissioner of Police Lagos State should protect End-SARS Protesters in the state and ensure that they are not molested

“The Commissioner of Police should stop unwarranted molestation of our youths by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad otherwise known as F-SARS and its counterparts in the State

“The Senate President and the Speaker of National Assembly should institute a public enquiry on the extra-judicial activities, killings, maiming and dehumanization of our youths by the Anti- Robbery Squad; ensure that the victims are duly compensated while erring officers sanctioned appropriately

“SARS be proscribed and a new security outfit which will be more efficient with clearly spelt out code of conduct and rule of engagements be established while sanction is imposed for a misdemeanour

“Mr President to ensure that culpable officials of SARS receive the punishment as prescribed by the National Assembly

“Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions liaise with the Commissioner of Police and Attorney General of the State to fashion out ways and means to address allegations of ruthlessness and extrajudicial killings contained in the petition against SARS in the state.

“The Governor of Lagos State Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu engage relevant institutions to protect lives and property in the state such that phones, laptops and other means of communication belonging to youths are not confiscated indiscriminately without a warrant”, it stated .

Banning SARS Should Not Be Business As Usual -NBA President

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned “unequivocally” the “brazen” and “serial” breaches of the fundamental rights of Nigerians including in some cases the right to life by officers of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), a specialist unit of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies.

This is contained in a statement in the social media handles of the NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL)

Akpata applauded the Inspector General of Police for banning SARS and urged him to ensure enforcement and monitoring of the new directive

“The NBA welcomes with cautious optimism the latest statement from the IGP banning FSARS, STS and IRT from routine patrol on the streets, amongst other measures and promising to apply sanctions in cases of breach. We however note that there had been previous statements following similar agitations but without appreciable changes.

“It is therefore of utmost importance that this time around it should not be business as usual. The Police must put in place demonstrable measures to ensure proper enforcement and monitoring of the new directives.” the statement reads in part

According to Akpata, the purpose of government is the welfare and protection of the people that’s why the people surrendered some of their freedom to the State in exchange for the protection of their rights and maintenance of the social order.

He said, “It is thus regrettable that the organ of the Nigerian State, entrusted with the protection of the people, has constituted itself into a source of constant and predictable terror especially to young Nigerians, to the extent of matching or even surpassing the criminal elements from whom they were designed to protect the people.

“The actions of FSARS are both inconsistent with the social contract which the people have with the government and are also in flagrant disregard of the Police Establishment Act and all our laws including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The NBA therefore called on President Buhari, the National Assembly and the IGP to strictly monitor and enforce the current directives regarding banning of FSARS, and put an end to the flagrant abuse and extrajudicial killings of Nigerians by these officers.

He added that his administration will be setting up dedicated helplines in the next few weeks to receive complaints about human right abuses by the Police and other security officers and pledged that the complaints will be adequately tackled.

He said, “In the meantime, we urge all # EndSARS protesters to remain constructive in their agitations while calling on the different formations of the Nigerian Police to respect the fundamental rights of Nigerians including the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression.

“While the current administration of the NBA has rightly prioritised the welfare and interest of Nigerian lawyers, our role as the Bar necessarily extends to acting as a watchdog of the society and speaking out in instances of abuse of power and trampling of rights of other Nigerians as has been on the rise lately.

“I do not believe that the activities of the FSARS and other elements of the Nigerian Police represent the best intentions of the President and the IGP for the Nigerian Police and I will be taking this up further with them with a view to ending this menace.

“The NBA is willing to proactively engage with the IGP to undertake urgent training and enlightenment of Police Officers in accordance with the recently passed Police Establishment Act to ensure the effective implementation of the Act and more respect for the rights of citizens in a democratic State.

“The NBA is also willing to collaborate with Civil Rights Organisations and Advocacy Groups to deal with this menace and we shall deploy our human and material resources in this regard.”

EndSARS protests turn violent in Osun, Abuja

There was violence in Osun and Abuja on Friday as youths protest against police brutality and extortion.

The PUNCH gathered that in a bid to disperse the protesters , policemen shot indiscriminately .
In Osogbo , the protest caused gridlock at the Ola -Iya junction .
It was learnt that the protesters pelted stones at the security operatives in a bid to resist any attempt to stop the protest.

The security operatives , who initially took cover beside their Armoured Personnel Carriers stationed at the junction , later shot indiscriminately to disperse the angry youths.

In Abuja , security operatives teargassed and shot indiscriminately to disperse the protesters .
In a video that surfaced online , the protesters were seen running helter- skelter.

Some of them were heard shouting “ they are shooting at us ” , “ don’ t kill us with teargas ” , “ you must #EndSARS” .

One of the protesters in Abuja , @ BrianJDenis , tweeted , “ Police officers have opened fire at us with live bullets at Central Area, Abuja . Some people are injured . ”
Earlier, the Inspector -General of Police, Mohammed Adamu , condemned the violent attack on policemen and damage to police operational vehicles and other assets by #EndSARS protesters in Ughelli , Delta State , on Thursday.

He also ordered a probe into the incident which resulted in the death of Corporal Etaga Stanley attached to ‘ A ’ Division , Ughelli .

One Sergeant Patrick Okuone also reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the attack .

The force spokesman , DCP Frank Mba, in a statement on Friday, said the protesters also carted away one service AK47 rifle with breach no 56-2609008 and 25 rounds of live ammunition that was with the deceased at the time of the incident.

The IGP , who described the incident as cruel and unwarranted , has warned that the Force will no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel or any member of the law enforcement community by any individual or group protesting under any guise.
While noting that protest by citizens remained a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views , Adamu said it must be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the confines of the law.

The IGP , while condoling the family and friends of Stanley equally commended the officers of the Delta State Police Command for exercising restraint “ in the face of the immoral and unjustified provocation. ”

The statement titled , ‘ #EndSARS protesters go berserk , murder one policeman, injure another in Delta State ’ , added , “ The IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Delta State , to carry out a discrete investigation into the unfortunate incident, root out the perpetrators and bring the killer protesters to book . ”

Protesters insist on #EndSARS as Lagos deputy gov pleads for reform

Protesters on Friday gathered at the entrance of Lagos State House of Assembly as the #EndSARS protest enters the third day in the state.
Some of the protesters earlier kept vigil at the entrance of the assembly .

During the protest on Friday, the protesters insisted that the Special Anti – Robbery Squad must be “ completely disbanded” .

Deputy Governor of Lagos State , Obafemi Hamzat, addressed the #EndSARS protesters .

He said , “ Police must find those spoiling their names and prosecute them . There are those of them who are harassing our youths , it must stop. The only way it will stop is for them to prosecute the bad eggs among them .

“ Before you remove a fence, you must understand why the fence was put there . You must go on a tour. If there are issues , you repair it. ”
In their reactions , the protesters shouted “ no ” .

He thereafter asked , “ What do you want ?” the protesters replied , “ EndSARS” .

Protests have been going on for days demanding the scrapping of the Special Anti – Robbery Squad over the extortion , brutalisation and killing of Nigerians by the police unit .

The Police IG on Sunday banned the unit , however , Nigerians denounced the ban as cosmetic , saying it is the fourth ban in recent times.

Atiku weighs in on #EndSARS protests

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has weighed in on the outcry and protest for the total eradication of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).

Atiku on Friday, supported the Nigerian youths, stating that protests are an essential part of any democracy. He aired his view via his official Twitter page @atiku.

The former VP also condemned any use of force on protesters.

”Protests are an essential part of any democracy as we have seen the world over, and should be seen as an opportunity for dialogue between our people and our leaders.

”Thus, it is essential that the fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression must be protected at all costs.

”I woke up to the peaceful #EndSARSProtests going on in Lagos and other cities in the country. First, I will like to commend the tenacity of our brave Nigerian youths who have stayed out on the streets all day and night to make their voices heard. I stand with you all

”I strongly condemn any disproportionate use of force on protesters across the nation. I also call on the relevant authorities to ensure that our youths are heard, and all incidents of excessive use of force by security agencies against protesters are investigated” he concluded.

EndSARS campaign spreads to UK, USA, John Boyega tweets support

The €EndSARS campaign has caught fire beyond Nigeria, spreading to the UK and USA and netting celebrities such as Davido and DJ Cuppy to identify with it.

In the UK, a notable voice that has joined the campaign is Nigerian-British movie star, John Boyega.

In multiple tweets, he wrote:

“Three years ago Nigeria’s police chief re-organised SARS after public condemnation about the violence that came with their operations. That change has done nothing for Nigerians and today many are still in danger.

“We can’t simply enjoy Banana island every December without noticing the concrete wall placed between Nigerians and their potential. The limitations become unbearable for them and this needs serious attention.

“The youth in Nigeria deserve good leadership and guidance. This situation is tied to many other issues. Please lend your attention to this pressing problem! #EndSARSImmediately #EndSarsProtests #EndSARS #EndSARSProtest”.

Boyega’s tweets lent immediate international dimension to the protests. His tweets were retweeted over 20,000 times.

The BBC reported today that The hashtag #ENDSARS trended at no.1 worldwide on Friday, as adamant protestors continue to demand the disbandment of the notorious police unit in Nigeria.

After being initially lukewarm to the protest, celebrities such as DJ Cuppy and Davido also identified with the protest.

DJ Cuppy apologised for her silence, while chilling off in Dubai and wrote:

“I would (be) lying if I said I’m DIRECTLY affected by SARS but a lot of my Cupcakes are and that’s enough for me to care. I stand behind the movement to #EndPoliceBrutality AND #EndSARS (Flag of Nigeria).

Davido also wrote: “No reform No change of oga No ban … we want it scrapped completely!!! #EndSARSImmediately”.

The mega star also reminded his fans by retweeting the recent murder by the police tactical squad of a promising football player and member of Remo Stars Football Club, Tiamiyu Kazeem.

The protests have triggered wide participation across the country, in the principal cities of Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan.

In Lagos, protesters kept a night vigil at the Government Secretariat, awaiting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was not in town, as he had gone on election duty in Ondo State.

In Abuja, protesters massing at police headquarters were shelled with tear gas on Thursday and today.

Protests also erupted in other major towns, such as Ughelli in Delta state, where the police claimed protesters killed their officer and gravely wounded another.

For now, the Police High Command while acknowledging the rights of citizens to protest, has has not given any undertaking to disband the obnoxious FSARS.

Instead, it threatened to deal with ‘berserk’ protesters who attack police personnel or assets.

Frank Mba, police spokesman said in a statement on Friday that the Force will no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel or any member of the law enforcement community by any individual or group protesting under any guise.

“The IGP notes that protest by citizens remain a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views. It must however be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the confines of the law”, Mba said.

Omo-Agege condemns killing of police officer

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy President of the Senate, has condemned the reported killing of a policeman in Ughelli, Delta.

Etaga Stanley, a police corporal, believed to be an indigene of Ughelli South council area, reportedly lost his life on Thursday during #EndSARS protests in Ughelli town.

It was also reported that another police officer, Sgt. Patrick Okuone, sustained injuries during the incident.

Omo-Agege in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Friday, described the incident as unfortunate.

While calling for thorough investigation of the matter, he, however, urged the police to exercise restraint and follow due process in fishing out the suspected killers.

The lawmaker condoled with the family of the deceased, the Nigerian Police Force and the people of Delta Central Senatorial District for the sad loss.

He said: “I humbly call on our highly-regarded traditional rulers to continue to urge our people to maintain the peace that we are known for in their various kingdoms and domains.

“Our royal fathers are a great force for peace in moments like this and we trust that they will help to ensure that those who wish to tear our communities apart are not allowed to succeed.

“We also call on our religious leaders to pray for our land. God will not allow the evil of bloodshed to reign in our land.

Violence is never an option. No meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace.

“Let us embrace the peace initiatives by all stakeholders, as our state is not known for violence and jungle justice,” he said.

Omo-Agege said that he had the assurances of the state police command that due process, as dictated by law, would be strictly followed and that there would not be indiscriminate arrest of innocent citizens in the course of the the investigation.