Politics
THE Anambra State House of Assembly has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct authorities in the Nigeria Police to embark on reforms in the force.
The Assembly noted that the reforms in the force would bring to an end the #EndSARS Brutality protest.
The resolution followed a motion raised by Nonso Okafor (Nnewi North), under matters of urgent public importance at plenary on Oct. 15.
Reacting to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, by the Inspector General, IG, of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Okafor said that the NPF required total re-organisation of its operational structure and not name change.
The IG had recently replaced the scrapped SARS unit with another unit, to be known as the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, SWAT.
“The Nigerian youths are unhappy and angry at incessant police brutality in the country, extra-judicial killings and cases of extortions by members of SARS, which necessitated the ongoing nationwide anti-SARS protests.
“President Buhari should urgently pacify the youths and address their demands with regard to police reforms.
“Doing that will put an end to the protests; otherwise it will escalate into an uncontrollable high magnitude and jeopardise the continued existence of Nigeria as one country.
“The security outfits need increased funding and holistic reforms, which will make them more professional and efficient in the discharging of their duties.
“I believe that this will go a long way in curtailing some of their excesses, such as overstepping their bounds while performing their duties,’’ Okafor said.
Tim Ifedioranma (Njikoka I) called for a psychiatry and psychological evaluation of police officers across the country.
Ifedioranma said that policemen act contrary to their duties and responsibilities, which included the protection of life and property and maintenance of law and order.
“Solving this problem is not about changing the name from SARS to SWAT; it requires reorienting the values of policemen, psychological evaluation of police officers, and structural reforms in the system,” he said.
Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha II) said that the #EndSARS protest could get out of hand if nothing was done urgently to end it.
“This protest needs to be seen as a strong signal to address the issue of the bad state of our economy and prioritise the issues concerning young people in the country,’’ he said.
While condemning police brutality in the country, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Pascal Agbodike, who presided over the plenary, urged youths to remain calm and not resort to violence.
– Oct. 17, 2020 @ 10:59 GMT |
Tags: Assembly calls for total reformation of Nigerian Police Force
