Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has called for a thorough investigation of two recent extra judicial killings by operatives of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in his home state, Delta.
Omo-Agege, who condemned the activities of SARS in a statement on Sunday, also expressed concern over the incessant cases of extrajudicial killings, harassment, illegal arrest and extortion of defenceless citizens by some officials attached to SARS in different parts of Nigeria.
He particularly mentioned the alleged shooting of a man by operatives of SARS in his constituency in Ughelli, Delta State over the victim’s alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone as well as another shooting of a youth in the town by men of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’ over the victim’s alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone to buttress his argument on the need for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of security units in the country.
Omo-Agege called on the police authorities to fish out the culprits for prosecution, stressing that this will serve as deterrent to others.
While calling on the security personnel to always maintain the rules of engagement, the ranking senator urged the youth in the area to exercise utmost restraint while investigation is ongoing.
He said: “Those who are authorised to bear arms and maintain law and order in the country ought to understand that such must be exercised with responsibility especially when human life is sacrosanct.
“I hope those who are quick at pulling the trigger would adopt strategies that would foster mutual understanding between them and those they are tasked to protect, in their bid to save the lives of Nigerians. It would be a depressing twist of fate for them to be listed among those contributing to the list of the dead in this challenging period globally.”
