• Aisha Yesufu, others join protest
Paul Obi in Abuja
As the controversy surrounding the operations of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) continues, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday gave the federal government and the Nigerian Police 21 days ultimatum to disband SARS or face the wrath of Nigerians or face serious embarrassment.
The coalition represented by Segun Awosanya, Convener #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG, Deji Adeyanju, Concerned Nigerians, Ariyo Dare Atoye, Coalition In Defence Of Nigerian Democracy. Adebayo Raphael, Our Mumu Don Do Movement, Abdul Mahmud, Public Interest Lawyer and Bako Abdul Usman of Campaign For Democracy staged a protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja with placards, calling for the scrapping of SARS.
They observed that “Nigerians have spent the last one week highlighting the travails many Nigerians suffer in the hands of SARS.
“The stories that have been recounted on social media include stories of torture, a lack of respect for the rule of law, extortion, extrajudicial murder and the disappearance of hundreds of people.
“These actions are indicative that the unit has outlived its usefulness and now constitutes a clear and present threat to the safety, wellbeing and welfare of most Nigerians.
“We demand for an outright scrapping of the entire SARS unit across the country. Its members have become engrossed in crime, murder, brutality, extortion and disrespect for the rule of law in a manner that makes any attempt at reform a waste of time.â€
They also demanded for “the constitution of a panel by the Police Services Commission to reform the Nigerian Police in its entirety.
The agenda must include provisions for better training of police officers; provision of better equipment and firearms; better welfare including housing, insurance, prompt payment of salaries and pensions etc; establishment of a code of conduct and strict compliance thereto as well as strong disciplinary measures for any officer who violates the code of conduct.
“We also demand for a public hearing at the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to enable Nigerians table their grievances before our elected representatives as well as the submission of memoranda on reforms of the Nigerian Police including recommendations on the amendment of laws to ensure a more efficient police force.
“We demand thorough investigations into complaints filed against SARS officers. We demand that such officers be identified and immediately brought to justice. In some cases, we will provide video and pictoral evidence against officers who have been seen to be involved in such acts of brutality and extortion.
 “We give the authorities 21 days within which to meet these demands failing which we will be compelled to resort to other measures to embarrass them into taking action.
May God bless Nigeria,†they added.
The Co-convener of Bring Back Our Girls, Aisha Yesufu, who also joined in the protest, explained that if nothing was done, the impunity by SARS would continue.
She contended that with the brutality perpetuated by SARS, “Nigerians have continued to be at the receiving end turn-by-turn; we will continue to come out until SARS is reform.
“The police must realise that their allegiance is to Nigeria and Nigerians, and not the President or the ruling party. until we get
“Our police has done more harm to us than good, until they begin to work on the allegiance to the people, we won’t relax.â€
A Â lawyer, Ilemona Onoja further called for thorough investigation of SARS activities over the years as a way of unbundling the department.
Onoja also demanded for the excavation of surroundings in SARS offices across the country to unearth the atrocitiescommitted by the unit.
