Police Commences Patrol as Minister Urges Dialogue

Police Commences Patrol as Minister Urges Dialogue

Police Commences Intensive Patrol in Anambra

In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, *IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni* for the immediate mobilization of all police operational assets and resources to bring an end to the wanton violence, killings, looting and destruction of public and private property by hoodlums who hijacked the “END SARS” protest and unleashed mayhem to the law abiding citizens,the Anambra State Police Command in collaboration with other Security agencies in the State have embarked on intensive joint patrol on all nooks and crannies of Anambra State in order to reclaim the public space from criminal elements masquerading as protesters to ensure peace and safety in the affected areas.

This follows a joint security management meeting with heads of other Sister Security Agencies who resolved to deal decisively with all acts of lawlessness, disruption of public peace and order and wanton violence which have resulted to indiscriminate looting, damage to property and loss of lives in some parts of the State which will no longer be condoned henceforth as all legitimate means would applied to halt further acts of lawlessness.

Consequently,the Commissioner of Police *CP John B.Abang,fdc* thanked “Ndi Anambra” especially youth,Community/Traditional leaders,President generals and vigilante groups for the Solidarity in defence of their communities and urges them not to relent until normalcy is restored.The CP further made a clarion call on the Public to report any suspicious persons or hoodlums to the nearest Police Station or call police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response, please.

SP Haruna Mohammed PPRO Anambra State Police Command.
For -Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command
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Police Affairs Minister Seeks Dialogue over EndSARS Protest

As part of cinfidence and peace building efforts by the Federal Government, The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Alh. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi (Katukan Sokoto) visited Sokoto State, had meetings with the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, mni and the Sultan, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, mni and had today 25/10/2020 hosted religious leaders in Sokoto at the State Command Headquarters and equally held a press conference.

In both events, the Minister stated the resolve of the Federal Government to conclusively address all concerns raised by well meaning Nigerians, while thanking governments at different levels for positive responses to concerns raised by #EndSARS protests, the Minister calls for calm in the troubled states.

The Minister in company of the AIG Zone 10, AIG Muhammad A. Mustafa, mni and the Commissioner of Police Sokoto State, CP Ibrahim Sani Kaoje psc, actively engaged religious stakeholders in the state in a brainstorming session which resolved to offer unmatched guidance to the youths on how best to approach concerns of interest to them and the leaders to rally round the government as well as assist in propagating peace.

Prior to the meeting with the religious leaders, the Minister had earlier addressed the media.

In his unabridged text of the press conference he conveyed government’s deep regrets over circumstances which led to end SARS protest in parts of the country.

He noted how Nigerian youths took to the streets about 15 days ago, to demand for the scraping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria police over allegations of abuses and unethical conducts by some personnel of the unit. SARS was created in late 1992 to deal with mutating crime patterns, at the time crime occurrences became more sophisticated and rampant. Tackling armed robbery and other violent criminalities were the specific brief for the unit.

He said: “It is therefore sad to mention, that some personnel of the unit desecrated ideals of SARS, trampled on professionalism, acceptable conducts and brought dishon odium to the entire police . or, disrep ute and May I also add that attempt s were made by successive police administration s to reform the unit before the latest outburst leading to end SARS protest.

“Government is deeply pained by reports of brutality by s ome personnel of the defunct Special AntiRobbery Squad, and will do all that is required to secure justice for victims and reel out punishments for policemen found culpable of violating citizens’ rights to serve as deterrent to others.

“The voice of our protesting citizens of the country have been heard , in parts by government s at all levels. The now famous #End SARS and other demands code named 5for5 have been acceded to by President Muhammadu Buhari for full implementation, to the extent that Mr. President personally directed the disbandment of SARS, being the first of its kin d in Nigeria.

“The demands of protesters can be categorize into medium and long term implementation time frame. May I therefore reassure that the disbandment of SARS has been fully implemented by the Inspector General of Police across Nigeria, while all personnel of defunct SARS were directed to report at the Force Headquarters for debriefing, mental and psychological evaluation to ascertain their fitness for future assignments to other units of the police, entirely different from what they were doing before.

“In order not to give leverage to perpetrators of armed robbery and other violent criminals in the nation, it become imperative to set up a professional outfit, codenamed, Special Weapon And Tactical Team (SWAT) to replace SARS. Shortlisted officers into this unit have commenced training at Police Mobile Training Schools at Ila-Oregun in Osun State, Ende Hills in Nasarawa State and Counter Terrorism School, Norwa in Rivers State. Successful officers will also be subjected to medical, mental and psychological evaluation before deployment to the unit.

“The specific functions of the unit have been clearly spelt out, to avoid abuse by the personnel. Further measures are also being put in place to restrict operations of SWAT until such a time, when their attention is needed. The operational mandate of SWAT include, response to robbery attack, response to scenes of weaponrelated crimes and rescue operations involving high profile cri minals.

“In response to the request of End SARS protesters for reform of the Police, instructive to note that Muhammadu Buhari it is our dear President has already show n commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police through the establishment of Police Trus t Fund Act 2019 others , and Police Act 2020 which amongst redefines policing in Nigeria, prioritize welfare of personnel, equipping of the police and other components of police reforms initiative. We are deeply committed to its full implementation to build system in Nigeria. a world class policing On 22/10/2020, the president in his address to the Nation informed Nigerians that he has directed the Revenue , Mobilsation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to come up with a new salary structure for the Police.

“The 36 State governors and the FCT have also been directed by Mr. President to constitute judicial panels of inquiry in their various states to interface with other stakeholders in treating all cases of human rights violation by defunct SARS personnel. State Governments have also been directed to set up Victim Support Funds to compensate those affected by police brutalities. The police service commission will work closely with the panels and Judiciary to implement recommendations against erring policemen where necessary, to prosecute serious offenders.

“While we appreciate the rights of citizens to express themselves freely through peaceful protest, let me reassure that the demands of end SARS protesters have been meet by government. We also want to call on our brothers and sisters on the street to join hands with government in ensuring implementation of demands that requires inclusiveness for the overall good of peace and security in our dear country.

“May I, at this juncture call on fellow citizens to please call off the protest which has been hijacked by criminal elements, burning down Police stations, churches, mosque, hospitals, shops, banks and carried out Jail breaks in Benin and Ondo states, while attempt in other states were unsuccessful.

“Let us give government the opportunity to further demonstrate its sincerity in handling this issue and other national concerns. Mr. President is not unmindful of the need to improve livelihood of citizens, hence the introduction of di fferent poverty reduction programs such as disbursement of cash to traders , disbursement of Agric loan, Youth investment fund among others. May I therefore appeal to protesters and Nigerians in general to support implementation of all laudable programs aim ed at improving governance and livelihood of citizens and listen to calls for an end to this protest.

ASP Muhammad A. Sadiq,
PPRO Sokoto,
For: Commissioner of Police,
Sokoto State Command.