Buhari Intervenes in End SARS Protest

President, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has intervened in the ongoing protests against brutality and extortion by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, ordering him to reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, investigate cases of infractions and bring offenders to justice.
He also directed the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to reform the FSARS.
He instructed during a meeting with the IGP on Friday. The intervention is coming a few days after hundreds of Nigerians took to the streets in a wave of protests against police violence that have left two dead.
The president also appealed for calm in a series of tweets after the meeting.
He tweeted, “I met again with the IGP tonight. Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt. I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct and ensure that the Police are fully accountable to the people.
“The IG already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, & ensure erring personnel is brought to justice. I appeal for patience and calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.
Reports gathered from the Punch newspaper revealed that one protestor and one police officer were killed on Thursday while another sustained life-threatening injuries during a protest in the Ughelli, Delta State.
On Friday, protestors gathered peacefully in Lagos; but in Abuja and Osun State there was violence.

The movement initially targeted FSARS, widely accused of unlawful arrests, torture, and murder, but has since broadened to include all police forces. The FSARS unit was earlier suspended on Sunday from routine patrols.
The movement against SARS had been trending under the slogan #ENDSARS, with a call for total scrapping of the unit.
Meanwhile Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appealed to #ENDSARS protesters in Lagos on the need for patience and understanding in order to arrive at a logical conclusion of the grievances.
Sanwo-Olu appealed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso on Friday.