Following directives by President Muhammadu Buhari on dissolution of Special Anti-Robbery Squad and immediate response to yearnings of citizens, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, convened a meeting with stakeholders, agreeing to meet demands, which include halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

The meeting, organized by the Office of the Inspector General of Police and National Human Rights Commission, was a multi-stakeholders’ forum attended by leaders and representatives of civil society organisations in Nigeria, activists from the entertainment industry and the ENDSARS movement and development partners.

The Ministry of Police Affairs and Police Service Commission were also present at the meeting that affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the Government.

A communiqué of Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) said:

“Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, there arose the need for stakeholder engagement to build trust and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

“The agitations also brought to the fore, the need to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“The Forum was addressed by the Inspector General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

“The Forum collectively: welcomed the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Reaffirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest; Further affirmed the sanctity of life of every Nigerian and the role of the Police in protecting this right; Affirms that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the Government.’’

According to the communiqué signed by the Inspector General of Police and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, Esq, the Forum noted that the dissolution of SARS presents an opportunity to embark on comprehensive reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian Police Force as a modern, responsive and citizens-centred law enforcement organisation.

“The Forum further notes that the proposed reforms should be anchored under the basis of the White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was jointly authored by the National Human Rights Commission, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Forum affirms that reform proposals for the Nigerian Police Force will be based on Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and existing legislations such as the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2010 amongst others.

“Following the dissolution of SARS, the Forum calls for the following immediate steps to be taken in restoring public confidence and trust in the Police: An order by the Inspector General of Police to all State Commands to halt the use of force against protesters; Unconditional release of arrested protesters and citizens; Open communication and outreach to citizens to establish trust and confidence and a roadmap for the implementation of the White Paper of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS.

“The Forum welcomed the proposal to set up an Independent Investigation Panel to look into the violations of human rights by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Nigerian Police. The Forum agrees to the setting up of this Independent Panel by the National Human Rights Commission within the next one week. An open call for Memoranda from members of the public whose rights have been violated by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Police will be released by the Commission within one week.

“The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment. The Forum resolves to set up the following Technical Sub-Committees to design an implementation roadmap and work plan for the implementation of the White Paper: Training, Capacity and Re-orientation; Logistics: Infrastructure, Communications and Technology; Arrest, Detention, and Investigations; Regulations, Oversight and Accountability and Financing and Partnerships.’’

The communiqué stated that sub-Committees will be supported by the National Human Rights Commission and other civil society organisations.

Those who attended the meeting are: Dr Kole Shettima- MAC Arthur Foundation; Innocent Chukwuma - Ford Foundation; Jude Ilo- of OSIWA; Segun Awosanya(segalinks) - End Sars Movement; Yemi Adamolekun- Enough is Enough; Clément Nwankwo- PLAC; Rafsanjani- CISLAC; Kemi Okonyedo- PWAN; YZ – CITAD; Folarin Falana Falz; Prof Deji Adekunle –NIALS; Chris Ngwodo, SSA to President Research & Policy; Dr Fatima Waziri – Rule of Law Adviser OVP and Abdulrahman Yakubu - NHRC Secretariat.

Others are: Hilary Ogbonna- NHRC secretariat; Halilu Adamu - NHRC Secretariat; Ben Aguh - NHRC secretariat; Dr Uju Agomuoh – PRAWA and Onyinye Ndubuisi – UNDP.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 13, 2020

President Buhari has over the years proven to be the peoples general. He has always had the interest of the common man at heart reason why he's the most powerful politician in today's Nigeria.
Very soon the whole country will appreciate him for all he has done for us. See how speedily policies are been made for the betterment of all. God bless you Daddy

God bless Nigeria.

If the youth can continue like this till 2023, then it will be us against the ruling party.

I swear we really have power but we are just too lazy to use it.

I hope we understand NOW

No be just by mouth oh... Even with these developments, boys no suppose looseguard carry naked phones dey waka...

Audio response
#ENDNIGERIA let everyone go to country of his or her choice
#ENDNIGERIA

Just the way to go. The protest must continue until tangible outcome is obtained, because you beat the gong loud if you want the deaf to understand the Oracle.

#EndAsuuStrike

The problem be say them go talk am for mouth, but to implement am na there wahala go dey...

Las las all this long epistle na still scam
If we calm now after a year they are coming back fr our head. Nigerian youths We no gree


Again #End$ars

Z

"If you think you're too small to make a change, try sleeping in a room alone with a mosquito."

Well done guys! Your voice was heard and it shows change is possible when people unite to achieve a common goal.

Can they change the slogan to
#RestructureNgNOW
before everything die down.

It's a necessity NOW

Useless people

Make we dey watch!

That's exactly what should be done. But our govt ehn

#enoughisenough

5 Point

Good move, I thought they no want before them think say we dey play, this is just the beginning... youth is power believe it or not!

Who made the demands?

Good

No be swinging into action now leta e go be audio swinging

Yeyerity, Yeye de smell.
It will be Revolution Now next week.
That's their fear, we ll match on Aso Rock and all these thieves.

It's better now.

Issoright

Finally...

Hope in the horizon and visibly in sight!

#FreshAir

SARS has been technically defeated.

Next is #EndBadLeadership

Thats good.
Next is #endbuhari

I thought they will be adamant.
This is a clear indication that they are afraid of the youth.