The Federal Government has pledged to fully implement the demands of the #EndSARS protesters for the overall good of policing in the country.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, gave the assurance in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Dingyadi noted that the government had already scrapped the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), as demanded by the protesters.
The minister said that the implementation of other demands was now at various stages.
He also noted that many state governments had set up judicial panels to deal with cases of violation of human rights by ex-SARS operatives.
Dingyadi assured the citizens that the panels would prescribe punishments, while efforts would be made to compensate the victims with resources put together through the victims support fund.
“The creation of Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to confront cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes by the police signified the commencement of activities to select and train personnel before deploying to the new unit.
“Training for SWAT personnel is ongoing at Nigeria Police Mobile Force training colleges in Osun and Nasarawa States.
“Personnel of defunct SARS are now undergoing debriefing, medical and psychological re-evaluation to ascertain their fitness for reassignment in units, different from SWAT,’’ he said.
Dingyadi also pledged to ensure the full implementation of police reforms to deepen training of personnel, while equipping the police and prioritising their welfare needs.
The minister said that efforts were underway to meet three key component demands of the #EndSARS protesters.
Dingyadi, however, regretted that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums and criminals, who unleashed terror, attacked police facilities, carried out jail break and caused wanton destruction of property in parts of the country.
According to him, citizen’s right to peaceful protest remains one of the strongest tenets of democracy but government is circumspect on the need to maintain law and order.
The minister appealed to Nigerians to have renewed confidence in the government’s commitment to implementing the various demands fully.
“This is to support security operatives in efforts to maintain law and order, re-arrest the fleeing inmates of Benin Correctional Centres and protect the citizens against criminals,’’ he added.
