- No SARS Officer Will Be Part Of New Tactical Team – Police
- Don’t parade yourselves as SARS operatives ― CP Odumosu warns disbanded SARS operatives
- There’s No Indication Govt Is Prepared To Respect Nigerians’ Rights – Falan
- Ibe Pascal Arogorn
Armed thugs on Wednesday in Abuja swooped on unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Berger roundabout, brandishing dangerous weapons and injuring some protesters in the process.
Armed with matchetes and sticks, the attackers vandalised vehicles belonging to the protesters and also attacked other motorists.
The incident momentarily led to the suspension of the protest as people including passersby and traders scampered to safety.
The protesters had gathered as early as 8 am and said their prayers according to their faith before starting their agitation.
Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Bala Ciroma however said no arrest has been made, adding that five vehicles were destroyed in the process.
He said; “Well, today, being 14th of October, 2020, there was a convergence of protesters at Berger Roundabout. The protesters were divided into two, those protesting against SARS and those against ending SARS.
“While we deployed our men to ensure law and order, these groups came into the arena, and before we knew it, there were hot exchanges between the groups.
“However, the timely intervention of the police officers prevented the situation from deteriorating and we have commenced investigation to determine what actually happened.
“There were five vehicles vandalised and so far, no arrest has been made and no casualty seen. We have deployed quite a number of our men to the various parts of the city.
“My message is that we should allow calm to return so that economic activities can pick up”.
Protesters repel armed thugs
EndSars protest turned violent as some hoodlums tried to prevent the protesters from expressing their aggression against the maltreatment by disbanded Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
No SARS Officer Will Be Part Of New Tactical Team – Police
The police have said that no member of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will be a part of the newly constituted Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team.
Following a very intense protest that has lasted for days, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, dissolved the infamous subunit of the force, SARS.
Two days after disbanding SARS, the IGP set up a SWAT unit, however, this move did not go down well with those who had protested for the dissolution of the anti-robbery squad, causing them to change the mantra from #EndSARS to #EndSWAT.
The call for the disbanding of the new unit is hinged on the arguments suggesting that the decision to immediately replace SARS operatives with SWAT is hasty and unpremeditated.
In a bid to throw more light on the new unit set up by the IGP, the police put out a statement via Twitter stating what their mandate will be, however, rather than refer to them as SWAT, police spokesman Frank Mba who put out the statement used the phrase ‘Tactical Team’.
It is unclear if the Police have changed the name of the newly constituted unit from SWAT to Tactical Team, but the spokesman said no operative of SARS will be included in the new team.
He also noted that the operations of the Tactical Team will be strictly intelligence-driven. Members of the new Tactical Team are also expected not to embark on routine patrols.
They are barred from the indiscriminate and unlawful search of phones, laptops, and other smart devices.
Mr. Mba’s communique also states that those who will be members of the new Tactical Team must be free of any pending disciplinary matter especially those that touch on misuse of firearms and abuse of human rights.
Don’t parade yourselves as SARS operatives ― CP Odumosu warns disbanded SARS operatives
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu, Wednesday, warned operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS and other tactical squads to stop parading themselves under any encrypted name.
This is just as three hoodlums who hijacked the ongoing protest to commit crime were almost lynched by mob in Alausa, Ikeja area of Lagos.
Odumosu, who debriefed operatives of the disbanded squads at the command headquarters, Ikeja, officially informed them of the formation of the new Special Weapons and Tactics Team, SWAT that would tackle armed robbery, kidnapping, violent crimes and other weapon-related crimes in the country.
He also directed that all pending cases and operational uniforms/wears or attires be handed over to the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence the Department, SCIID.
He also directed that the squad’s satellite offices across the state should be taken over by the nearest Divisional Police Headquarters in the respective areas.
Odumosu, appealed to the general public to report “ misconduct of any police personnel claiming to be SARS operatives in the state, or venturing into opening or investigating cases under the SARS or any of the disbanded tactical teams in Lagos State”.
In the same vein, he appealed to protesters to be law-abiding, to maintain peace and respect the rights and opinions of other Lagosians, describing blockage of access roads to other Nigerians as unnecessary.
Meanwhile, in Alausa, three suspected hoodlums who hid under the guise of protesters to hijack a lady’s phone were arrested.
The suspects: Sulkinessọn Ayinde, Damilọla Balogun and Niyi, were beaten to a state of coma and abandoned at the entrance of the Lagos Assembly gate.
There’s No Indication Govt Is Prepared To Respect Nigerians’ Rights – Falana
Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has faulted the Federal Government for setting up a new unit called the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Unit (SARS).
During an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Falana said a change of name was not enough and it appears there’s no indication that the government is prepared to respect the rights of Nigerians.
“As far as I’m concerned, so far, we are only scratching the surface of the problem and there’s been no indication that the government is prepared yet to respect the rights of the Nigerian people embodied in the constitution and other statues,” he said.
Just like many other Nigerians, Mr Falana believes that the problems go beyond a name change and, therefore, more concrete steps ought to be taken to bring about real change to policing in Nigeria.
“For me, it is not actually the name that matters and I think what the youths are saying is that beyond renaming, they want to see concrete steps taken to show that it is not going to be business as usual when it comes to policing in Nigeria,”.
The lawyer challenged state governors to also rise up to the occasion by doing all within their power to ensure the safety of its residents, rather than solely relying on the Federal Government.
“It is supposed to be a joint responsibility,” he said.
Speaking further, Falana said Nigerians owe the youths a lot of gratitude for “the peaceful manner in which they have carried out the protests and also for waking all of us up to our responsibilities”.
Awkuzu SARS under lock as protesters paralyse Awka
THE defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, headquarters at Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State regarded as the most notorious in terms of brutality was under lock Wednesday, even as #ENDSARS protesters paralyzed activities in Awka.
The protesters, who caused traffic gridlock in the Anambra State capital gave names of 12 persons who they claimed, were brutally murdered by Awkuzu SARS operatives within the past few months. They listed Onitsha, Oraifite, Ozubulu, among others as places where they were killed.
Although the usual beehive of activities associated with Awkuzu SARS had disappeared, some of the operatives were seen sitting in front of the office.
It was gathered that those being detained before the dissolution of SARS by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu were yet to be freed, just as several confiscated vehicles were still littered around the office.
One of the people whose relations were in detention at the time of the dissolution said nobody had briefed them on what to do, adding that he rushed to the place soon after the announcement of the dissolution, but there was nobody to attend to him.
Meanwhile, the SARS protest brought economic activities in Awka to a standstill for several hours as the protesters used the vehicles to block some of the major roads.
One of them, Mr Johnson Okemili who stood on top of one the vehicles, listed 12 names of people, mainly youths, who they claimed, were killed by operatives at Awkuzu SARS within the past few months.
According to him, the victims were murdered on mere trumped-up allegations of either being armed robbers without taking them to a court or being
yahoo yahoo boys .
He said: “One of my friends lost his life because he asked why he was being harassed by SARS operatives. They kicked him and tortured him until he became unconscious and did not recover from it. I don’t know if they do not like people who look good or seem to be doing well in their businesses at a youthful age.”
He said it was not enough for the IGP to dissolve SARS and replace it with another outfit, arguing that it was just the name that had been changed.
Family demands justice for #EndSARS protester killed in Surulere
The family of 55- year -old Ikechukwu Iloamauzor , who was allegedly killed by a stray bullet during Tuesday’ s protest in Lagos against police brutality, have called for justice over the incident.
The Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa Nike Community in Enugu East Local Government Areaof Enugu State , Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu , who spoke on behalf of the family, made the call at a news conference in Enugu on Wednesday .
The monarch said that Iloamauzor , who was married to his younger sister , Ngozi , died after he was reportedly hit by a stray bullet during the #EndSARS protest in Surulere , Lagos .
He said the news of Iloamauzor ’ s death “ came to us as a rude shock ” .
According to him , the deceased , who worked as a driver, was said to be conveying his boss to an event , when the incident happened .
“ I received a call from his boss on Tuesday that they ran into a traffic jam caused by a protest by youths calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad and police reform .
“ The man said that due to the delay in vehicular movement caused by the long procession of protesters , his driver stepped out of the wheel and leaned in front of the car.
“ It was while standing there that a stray bullet hit him in the neck , leaving him dead, ” the monarch, who spoke on behalf of the deceased ’ s family , said .
He said the family was impressed with the Lagos State Government ’ s intervention in the matter .
“ However , we want a thorough investigation into the incident . We are crying for justice .
“ We want the Inspector-General of Police and Federal Government to know that the victim of the October 13 incident in Surulere is from Enugu State .
“ We want the family to be fully compensated to be able to take care of the people he left behind, ” Ugwu said .
Also , the younger brother of the deceased , Tobias, said that his late brother was the bread winner of their family and described his death as a big loss.
Protesters destroyed Lagos fire truck -Official
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has alleged that one of its emergency trucks was damaged by some #ENDSARS protesters in Lagos State .
The agency made this known in a statement on Wednesday titled ‘ #EndSARS: Protesters damage Lagos fire engine truck ’ .
Acting Head of the agency, Mrs . Margaret Adeseye , said the incident happened on Tuesday at Alausa, Ikeja area of the state.
She expressed dissatisfaction at the “ unprovoked attack on the truck used daily to assist and support Lagosians in emergency situations ” .
She said that “ the fire engine truck was on its way from Salvation Street , Opebi , where it had been deployed to put out a fire in the morning, en route to another emergency call at 10, Thomas Adeboye Street , Olowoira in Ojodu, before it was attacked by some of the protesters .
“ The distress call to Olowoira was received at about 12. 08hrs and the Alausa fire truck was en- route the scene from Opebi , where it had just concluded an operation before it was attacked and damaged by some protesters . ”
While maintaining that the Fire Engine Truck was still able to attend to the occurrence at Olowoira despite the attack and damage by the protesters , Adeseye advised Lagosians to “ stop destroying government property since the cost will eventually be borne by the taxpayers in the State ” .
Your voices have been heard, let govt play its roles, Sanwo-Olu begs protesters
Lagos State Governor , Babajide Sanwo- Olu, has appealed to #EndSARS protesters in the state to remain calm and “ let the effects of the protest go down” .
The governor stated that Federal and State governments had heard the voices of the youths and had swung into action.
He , therefore , urged the #EndSARS protesters to allow governments at all levels play its roles to make the demanded changes happen .
Thousands of youths across the country have in the last one week been protesting against the harassment and extrajudicial killings perpetrated mainly by the Special Anti -Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.
The police authorities have since disbanded the unit and announced the Special Weapons and Tactics unit as its replacement.
The Lagos governor , on Tuesday, took the demands of the protesters to the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , at Aso Villa in Abuja .
However, the protests have continued with many demanding for more reforms .
Speaking at the 20th National Women Virtual Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on Wednesday , Sanwo – Olu urged the youths to leave the streets and allow their “ elected representatives to take up the challenge from where they left off. ”
This was contained in a statement by the governor ’ s Chief Press Secretary , Gboyega Akosile . The statement was titled, ‘ #EndSARS Protests : Sanwo- Olu, Oyetola , Lagos First Lady Urge Youths To Remain Calm’ .
Sanwo- Olu was quoted in the statement as saying , “ I want to humbly request and appeal to our youths that their voices have been heard ; their grievances have been well taken; their cause is a just and important cause . We have listened to them and listened to them very well. Government more than ever before will do things differently and positively . We can all see the efforts we have started since yesterday and today going forward .
“ I want to appeal once again that because of the global pandemic that we have witnessed over last six to seven months , the youths should let the effects of the protest go down. And they should know that their voice has been heard , let government play their roles and play it well . ”
