Despite Buhari’s Promise Of Police Reforms, Brutality Rages On
There has been continued brutality by the men of the Nigerian Police Force, despite ongoing protests calling for Police reforms and end to police brutality.
It would be recalled that President Muhammad Buhari disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery squad after nationwide agitations over their increased brutality.
According to reports, over 10 persons have been killed in the protests.
The president, through the Inspector General of Police, directed that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad be disbanded and while officials should be redeployed with immediate effect, following a reform in the Police Force.
The death toll in the country over the last hours, shortly after the directive, has increased.
Some protestors were killed in Ogbomosho, while deaths were recorded in Surulere.
Shortly after this inhuman activity by the men of the SARS, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde directed that Operation Burst be mobilized to all areas and strategic places in the State, and ensure that the peaceful protestors are not hurt anymore.
The Governor made the assertion in a live broadcast, part of it reads thus, “I had an emergency meeting with the stakeholders and we have come to a conclusion that all Police Force take the backseat and leave all other force to take the front seat in safeguarding lives of the people”
“We have deployed the operation busrt to the hotspot of the state, especially Ogbomosho and they would be with the protestors to ensure that there’s no more loss of lives.
“The people of oyo state can go about with their daily activities without fear,” he added
Protestors at the Surelere area of Lagos State also met with a lot of casualties. The angry personnel shot at the protesters, which led to killing of a 55 year old man who was killed as a result of stray bullet and other young and innocent people been killed and injured.
The protesters who also stormed the lekki area of Lagos to show their grievances, manned a roadblock which led to a total standstill of commuters.
During this agitation, the Executive Governor of the Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu tried to pacify the protestors.
Following the Surelere killing, the Governor expressed displeasure. This was made through a tweet by him.
The tweet reads, @jidesanowolu: I have received the news of casualties at the Surulere protest as well as other developments we are monitoring. We mourn with the families of those who have lost their loved ones.
Please do not allow your protest be hijacked and used by people with a pre-existing vendetta.
Despite the wide range of death all over the country, protestors have vowed not to back out untill a change is done.
The peaceful protest in Nigeria has gained a lot of recognition of major stakeholders to which has led to various support both home and abroad.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwunsi Ojaja II has urged the protestors to continue in their protest and has promised them support.
The king who shared his ordeal on the brutality of the men of the Police Special Antirobbery Squad on his female child while heading to the airport. The King showed concern on the activity of the force.
Also the Senior pastor of Daystar Int’l Church, has also supported the struggle says itsa good move and this is a mile change for the generation.
Also a Nigerian Artist, Wizkid has also led couple of teams in Abroad to show their grievances and support Nigerians in their struggles.
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