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End SARS: Presidential Panel Approves 5-point Demand From Protesters

The Presidency has said the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has approved the five-point demand from Nigerians, who have been protesting across the country since last week.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday and signed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser of Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

According to him, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, convened a meeting with stakeholders, where he agreed to meet demands, which include halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

A communiqué signed by the IG of Police, Mohammed Adamu and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, Esq, read in part: “Following the dissolution of SARS, the Forum calls for the following immediate steps to be taken in restoring public confidence and trust in the Police: An order by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to all State Commands to halt the use of force against protesters; Unconditional release of arrested protesters and citizens; Open communication and outreach to citizens to establish trust and confidence and a roadmap for the implementation of the White Paper of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS.”

It added that: “The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment.”

Those who attended the meeting are: Dr Kole Shettima – MAC Arthur Foundation; Innocent Chukwuma – Ford Foundation; Jude Ilo – of OSIWA; Chris Ngwodo, SSA to President Research & Policy; Dr Fatima Waziri – Rule of Law Adviser OVP; Segun Awosanya (segalinks) – End Sars Movement; Yemi Adamolekun – Enough is Enough; Clément Nwankwo- PLAC; Rafsanjani – CISLAC; Kemi Okonyedo – PWAN; YZ – CITAD; Folarin Falana Falz; Prof Deji Adekunle – NIALS and Abdulrahman Yakubu – NHRC Secretariat.

Others are: Hilary Ogbonna- NHRC secretariat; Halilu Adamu – NHRC Secretariat; Ben Aguh – NHRC secretariat; Dr Uju Agomuoh – PRAWA and Onyinye Ndubuisi – UNDP.