The House of Representatives at the opening of plenary on Tuesday honored Nigerians who lost their lives in the ongoing protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, noted the interventions by the House, the disbandment of SARS by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; and the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
Gbajabiamila said the names of slain protesters should be compiled while the House makes provisions for the compensation of their families in the 2021 Appropriation Bill.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force boss Mohammed Adamu has ordered all state commissioners of police to ensure no officer and other insignia of the Special Anti-robbery squad is seen in public.
In the “police wireless message” dated October 12, 2020, the state commissioners of police are to ensure “strict compliance” with the directive.
The directive came days after Adamu ordered the dissolution of the controversial unit. The new directive also confirms allegations that the SARS officers despite been disbanded are still on the streets harassing and brutalizing Nigerians.
Protesters, who clamored for the dissolution of the unit, have continued to protest noting the government’s ineffectual promises of police reforms and investigations in the past.
Just hours after Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday tried to assuage protesters by promising “extensive” reforms to stop the rising crisis of police brutality, another civilian was shot and killed by police during a protest in Surulere, Lagos State.
Today, Hundreds of youths, including entertainers, have defied the order by the Rivers State Government banning protest in the state and marched through major roads seeking an end to police brutality.
The protesters, clad in black t-shirts and Jeans, had gathered at the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park as early as 8 am.
The protesters were initially prevented from going ahead with their plan by police officers who were stationed at the take-off point (Pleasure Park) on the grounds.
Many of them condemned the recent killings of youths in Port Harcourt, including a musician popularly known as Sleek, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Meanwhile, policemen were spotted at strategic locations monitoring the protesters.
Since the protest began last Wednesday, the Nigerian branch of Amnesty International, in a tweet on Monday night, reported that 10 protesters have been killed, while others were severely injured, beaten, or arrested by police.
