…As Groups Want Total Reformation of Country’s Policing System

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has said the National Assembly would ensure that the five demands made to the Executive by #EndSARS protesters riled by Police brutality,  are implemented. This is coming just as some groups are insisting on total reformation of the Policing system in the country.

Lawan gave the assurance during plenary after the upper chamber was briefed by the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC–Kebbi North) on the intervention by the leadership to wade into the matter.

Giving details into the Wednesday meeting between the Senate delegation and the protesters, Senator Abdullahi said, “we met with a view to pacifying the protesters and also extending our commiseration with them over what happened.

“They explained that in the course of their peaceful demonstration, they were accosted by some hoodlums who they alleged were directed by the Police to attack them; and how they were able to weather the storm and assemble at the National Assembly to inform us of their travails.

“We sympathised with them and received verbally, the complaints that they wanted to submit to the National Assembly.

Damages to Vehicles

“They complained of damages to their vehicles, and some physical injuries that some of them sustained. Fortunately, there were no major injuries or even violent death.

“We implored them to submit a catalogue of their complaints and the damages or injuries that were inflicted upon them, so that these can be conveyed to the appropriate authorities for interventions.

“Today, the minority leader as we arranged yesterday was there on the ground to receive the catalogue of complaints. Unfortunately those complaints are not ready, so whenever they are ready, the leadership is going to compile and submit them to the appropriate authority for attention.

“I just wanted to inform my colleagues, so that we put this particular issue on record.”

In his remarks, Lawan, who described the demands by the protesters as legitimate, said the National Assembly would prevail on the Executive arm of government to ensure expeditious implementation.

Go Back Home

He however urged the protesters to go back home so as to give the Federal Government the chance to see to the implementation of their demands.

“We took a motion sponsored by Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu on the challenges that we face, especially with respect to the SARS activities across the country and, of course, we took far reaching resolutions.

“Nigerians, let me say, have the right to peaceful demonstration. When they feel very strongly about issues, they can do so to call the attention of the leaders of this country for appropriate action to be taken.

“I believe that the government has responded, SARS has been disbanded and all the five demands of the protesters have been accepted.

“What I’ll urge here is if such demands have been accepted, then we should expedite taking action to actualize them.

Protesters Demands

“I believe that when protesters demands are met, their goal should have been achieved. Therefore, there is need for our compatriots to go back home and give government the chance to quickly and expeditiously implement those demands.

“Both chambers of the National Assembly have identified with the protests that they are legitimate protests and demands.

“I think the next vital step is for the protests to stop because the initial reasons for the protests have been accepted as facts and government is trying to do everything possible.

“I urge government and that includes us, that we should push to ensure that those demands of the protesters that the Executive side has accepted to implement are implemented as quickly as possible,” Lawan said.

End to Police Brutality

Thousands of Nigerians nationwide, particularly youths, have been on the streets for several days, demanding an end to Police brutality and prosecution of all police officers involved in rights violations.

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja declared that disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is the first step to extensive police reforms by his administration.

P-YES

Speaking at the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), aimed at creating 774,000 jobs across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country, President Buhari also directed that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be brought to justice.

”I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force,’’ President Buhari said during the launch of the P-YES programme, attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Engineer Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.

Disbanding SARS

He continued: “The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive Police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the Police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.

”We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.

”We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.

”I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated.

”Meanwhile, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the Police Force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties.

”The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force,” he said.

Convening a Stakeholders’ Meeting

Following directives by President Buhari on the dissolution of Special Anti-Robbery Squad and immediate response to yearnings of citizens, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, convened a meeting with stakeholders, agreeing to meet demands, which include halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

The meeting, organized by the Office of the Inspector General of Police and National Human Rights Commission, was a multi-stakeholders’ forum attended by leaders and representatives of civil society organisations in Nigeria, activists from the entertainment industry and the ENDSARS movement and development partners.

The Ministry of Police Affairs and Police Service Commission were also present at the meeting that affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the Government.

Communique

A communiqué of Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) said:

“Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, there arose the need for stakeholder engagement to build trust and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

“The agitations also brought to the fore, the need to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“The Forum was addressed by the Inspector General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

“The Forum collectively: welcomed the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Reaffirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest; Further affirmed the sanctity of life of every Nigerian and the role of the Police in protecting this right; Affirms that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the Government.’’

According to the communiqué signed by the Inspector General of Police and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, Esq, the Forum noted that the dissolution of SARS presents an opportunity to embark on comprehensive reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian Police Force as a modern, responsive and citizens-centred law enforcement organisation.

White Paper

“The Forum further notes that the proposed reforms should be anchored under the basis of the White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was jointly authored by the National Human Rights Commission, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Forum affirms that reform proposals for the Nigerian Police Force will be based on Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and existing legislations such as the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2010 amongst others.

Restoring Public Confidence

“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 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.

“The Forum welcomed the proposal to set up an Independent Investigation Panel to look into the violations of human rights by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Nigerian Police. The Forum agrees to the setting up of this Independent Panel by the National Human Rights Commission within the next one week. An open call for Memoranda from members of the public whose rights have been violated by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Police will be released by the Commission within one week.

Psychological Evaluation

“The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment. The Forum resolves to set up the following Technical Sub-Committees to design an implementation roadmap and work plan for the implementation of the White Paper: Training, Capacity and Re-orientation; Logistics: Infrastructure, Communications and Technology; Arrest, Detention, and Investigations; Regulations, Oversight and Accountability and Financing and Partnerships.’’

The communiqué stated that the sub-Committees will be supported by the National Human Rights Commission and other civil society organisations.

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

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

Attack on Protesters

Meanwhile, men of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, attacked and assaulted #EndSARS protesters who besieged the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

The protesters, who include sociopolitical activist, Ms Aisha Yesufu, were demanding an end to police brutality and extra-judicial killings.

The soldiers also seized a camera and microphones belonging to ARISE TV at the scene.

The TV station noted that the camera was broken and the cameraman sustained head injuries after being hit with a gun.

Videos on social media also show soldiers assaulting unarmed protesters.

In response to nationwide protests against police brutality, the IG Adamu, had on Sunday dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the force following nationwide protests against extrajudicial killings and violation of human rights by the notorious unit.

But despite disbanding the unit, protesters across the country have continued to march for total reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

Thugs bearing weapons, on Wednesday, also attacked some Nigerians protesting against police harassment and brutality in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The thugs, who were armed with cutlass and other weapons, injured an unconfirmed number of persons and damaged vehicles.

However, the protesters regrouped within minutes and started chasing the thugs away.

One of the thugs, who was caught, was severely beaten. He was later taken to the hospital to receive medical attention.

The attack occurred at Berger junction some moments after the commencement of the protest.

The protest is part of a nationwide #EndSARS movement which started as a demand to disband the now-dissolved SARS of the Nigeria Police Force.

The unit was notorious for abuse of human rights, brutalisation, and even extra-judicial killings of young Nigerians.

Hoodlums also attacked some Nigerians protesting against police brutality just outside the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex in Alausa, Lagos.

The protesters had besieged the gate of the complex to drive home their demand for total reformation of the Nigeria Police Force.

The attack has left many protesters injured. One of the injured protesters, identified as Mr John Kennedy, said he was going on his own when he was accused of being one of the protesters and was assaulted.

Denying Allegations

The Lagos State Government has however denied allegations that it sponsored thugs to attack protesters in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Reacting to allegations that it was responsible for the attack, the government said such claims are “untrue and wicked.”

It noted that the allegations were concocted to “whip up sentiments” against the government.

“The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports in the social media alleging that the government sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest. This is untrue and wicked,” the statement said.

“Such wild allegations were obviously concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government, which has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with our youths in their efforts towards police reforms.

“The Governor has been preaching peace. So has the Deputy Governor, who addressed the protesters last Friday. The Governor has addressed them twice – at the Lekki Toll Gate and at the House of Assembly. He even carried a placard and marched with the youths after assuring them that he felt their pains and that it was legitimate for them to protest.

“Besides, the Governor visited the President to tender their five-point demand. He ensured that all the protesters arrested by the police were released unconditionally.

The enemies of progress who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire are the ones fueling the infernal lies that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack our protesting youths. They have been posting on the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service vehicle was conveying thugs. The bus in question was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters. The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus. They returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left.

“As a government, we will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk. We are strongly committed to ensuring that our youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views, are well protected.

“This should be a sober time for us all as we struggle to reverse the negative effects of COVID-19 on our economic and social lives, even as the experts are warning that a second wave is likely if we shun the safety guidelines we have all agreed to embrace.

“The government seeks the co-operation of all in ensuring that the crisis is put behind us as soon as possible.”

Revolution is Imminent

Former senator representing Kaduna central,Shehu Sani opines that the protest against police harassment and brutality is a message to those in power that a revolution is imminent.

In the last one week, there have been protests across the country over police brutality, especially by the special anti-robbery squad (SARS).

In a statement on Wednesday, Sani said apart from the police, the governance and the country as a whole needs to be reformed.

“The nationwide protest is a message to those in power and authority that a revolution is impending in an atmosphere of social, economic and political inequities and infamy,” the former senator said.

“Even though the trigger of the protest was Police brutality, Police reforms are not enough to address the underlining and provocative factors that compelled the mass of the youths to the streets.

“The political class have for long toyed with the lives and future of our youths who were left with no option but to revolt.

Systemic Plunder

“Systemic plunder and theft of the national resources, mass unemployment, collapse of public education, widening gap between the rich, false and pretentious change mantra and the poor and stupendous and brazen display of wealth by the children of the rich and those in high public offices to the contempt of the children of the poor grievously inflames the anger of the revolutionary youths on the streets.

“The protest by the Nigerian youths, have lit up our national space and recharge the conscience of the nation. We must admit the fact that the political class have taken the poor and the downtrodden for granted for long.

“The End SARS protest is conscience in motion. The opposition, the trade unions and the parliament have failed Nigerians until the Youth took their destiny to their hands.

“As long as the government at all levels and the nation will continue to be run for the benefit of the few and their immediate families, this kind of uprising is just the beginning.

“The use of sponsored thugs to attack unarmed protesters in Abuja stands condemned. Thugs cannot and must not stop the wheel of conviction.” Sani added that “Nigerian leaders” enslave the poor and spit on their children.

 Enter SWAT

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has set up a new unit to replace the dissolved special anti-robbery squad (SARS).

The IGP dissolved SARS on Sunday following nationwide protests.

In a statement on Tuesday, forrce spokesman, Mr Frank Mba, disclosed that the IGP had ordered all personnel of the disbanded SARS to report at force headquarters in Abuja for debriefing.

He revealed the new unit set up to replace SARS as the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

Mba stated that prospective members of this new team would also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has, today, 13th October, 2020, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination. The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties,” the statement said.

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye has thrown his weight behind Nigerians protesting against Police brutality nationwide.

In a tweet Wednesday night, Adeboye said he supports the youths as they “speak up” through the peaceful protest.

“Our daughters will not be able to prophesy and young men will not see visions if we don’t keep them alive,” the cleric tweeted.

Support the Youth

“I support the youths in this peaceful protest as they ‘speak up’ to #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSARS #ENDSWAT.”

His church also condemned Police brutality and asked government to restructure the Police and re-orientate the officers towards modern ways of policing.

In a statement signed by RCCG’s Assistant General Overseer (Administration and Personnel), Johnson Odesola, the church lamented the loss of many lives through “unnecessary brutality and wrong application of force” by Police operatives.

While welcoming the dissolution of SARS, the church warned that the defunct unit’s replacement called the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) “should not become a case of old wine in a new bottle.”

The RCCG also urged protesters to comport themselves orderly and eschew violence and destruction in the process of expressing their grievances.

“The Redeemed Christian Church of God has identified with Nigerians presently protesting against police brutality and the abuse of power by the very institution established to protect them,” the statement said.

Ending Police Brutality

“The Church declared its understanding and appreciation of the concerns and grievances of the youths and the generality of Nigerians and called for an immediate end to police brutality in the country.

“While noting the constitutional responsibility of the Police to maintain law and order, the Church emphasized the need for the Police to constantly align their strategies with the needs of the people.

“While noting that many innocent lives had been wasted through unnecessary brutality and wrong application of force, the Church calls on the Government to not only restructure the Police but to also re-orientate the officers towards modern ways of policing.

“The Church welcomes the disbandment of the SARS and notes the establishment of a new outfit called the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) but warned that it should not become a case of old wine in a new bottle.

“The Church reiterated its call on Government to take urgent steps to tackle the rising rate of unemployment, decay in the nation’s educational system and the general harsh economic situation in the country.”

The Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law has said that the scrapping of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Police and integrating same into the force will yield nothing at the end of the day.

Better Approach

In a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) titled, ‘Scrapping SARS is Nothing Short Of Bottling Old Wine in New Bottle:  How Best To Reform NPF & Its Units,’ the group gave suggestion on a better approach to achieving results.

Intersociety made its position known in the petition signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chair, Chinwe Umeche Esq., Head, Democracy & Good Governance, Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., Head Civil Liberties & Rule of Law and Amaka Damaris Onuoha, Esq., Head, Campaign & Publicity.

The group wrote: “The Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law is writing to totally reject the scrapping, Sunday, 11th October, 2020 of the notorious and butchery Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force and planned absorbing of its killer personnel into various units or departments of the Force.

Bottling Old Wine

“As organization with individual and corporate expertise in modern policing and legal matters, Intersociety sees the announcement by your public office as nothing short of ‘bottling old wine in new bottle’. There must be thorough, ICT and mentally driven or sharpened reformation of the Nigeria Police Force and its relevant units or departments.

“The reformation of the Nigeria Police Force and all its intelligence, operation, investigation, custodial and prosecution units or departments must be done holistically and comprehensively.

“That is to say that the reforms must particularly be centered on the following relevant or key units or departments of the NPF: anti-fraud section, special anti-robbery squad-State-SARS and F/SARS (“disbanded”), anti cult unit, x-squad (in-service anti-corruption squad), general investigation, special fraud unit, legal section, forensic science laboratory, Interpol liaison, homicide, cybercrime section, anti-human trafficking, force intelligence department or FCIB/SCIB, special branch (criminal and special investigation bureau), Central Crime Registry, department of criminal investigations or FCID/SCID and its annexes in Kaduna, Lagos, Enugu and Gombe; counter terrorism section, anti kidnapping squad, police border, police highway, police mobile, police railway and police marine sections.

Operational Guidelines

“The reforms must be operationalized as operational guidelines, code of conduct and training manuals or school curricula in the NPF’s top Departments of FCID/SCID, FCIB/SCIB, Information and Communications Technology, Research & Planning, Training & Development and Operations; all headed by DIGs as well as  related units or departments in the Force’s 17 Zonal Commands, 36 State Commands/FCT and Area Commands, Divisional Commands, Training Commands, Squadrons and other related formations across the country.

“The training and operationalization must start with the heads of such units and departments including ‘in-service’ and ‘out-service’ trainings and orientations.

“There shall be scrapped with uttermost immediacy the following unnecessarily created and duplicated IGP’s “special intervention squads” such as “IGP’s intelligence response team” (IRT), “IGP’s special tactical squad” (STS), “IGP’s monitoring team” and related others. Apart from their sheer duplicity, they also seriously undermine the activities of the established units or departments above mentioned.

“In your public office’s recent creation of five additional Zonal Commands, Awka was named as the headquarters of Zone 13, but ‘Ukpo-Dunukofia’ unceremoniously became its final location. We want it reversed and reverted to Awka. The choice of the latter as the location of Zone 13 is a clear case of ‘privatization of NPF, it formations and personnel’s promotions and postings.

“Resuscitate & Digitalize NPF Forensic Dept: there must be revitalization and digitalization of the NPF Forensic Department which must include criminalistics, pathology, toxicology, physical anthropology, odontology, psychiatry, questioned documents, ballistics, tool work comparison and serology, etc.

“There must be ICT policing revolution and impartation of logical analytical skills in the NPF and all its headship and operational or field personnel to curb the incessancy of torture and extrajudicial killings and others forms of crude and unprofessional policing.

“This must include ICT compliant guidelines for processing or handling of suspects arrested and investigated by the headship and operational or field personnel manning all the named NPF units or departments.

“Tackle & Abolish Endemic Corruption In The NPF: corruption to be tackled and abolished in the Force include commercialization of criminal investigation (i.e. custodial bail fees and funding by complainants, of criminal investigation including arrests and prosecutions), beat patrol and roadblock extortion and daily criminal returns made to senior police officers (i.e. from SARS/MOPOL commanders/DPOs-Area Commanders-CPs-AIGs-DIGs-IGP), diversion of overhead funds meant for police formations by the Force Headquarters and State Commands and privatization of policing formations and officers’ promotions and postings. Police corruption also involves dabbling into and criminalization of civil matters, confiscation and forceful possession of monetary cash sums and properties belonging to suspects or “proceeds of crimes” and ritualism (i.e. by “disbanded” SARS personnel and their likes).

“Checkmate & End Operational & Custodial Killings: These must be done away with through digitalization of the NPF’s intelligence gathering, suspects’ arrests and detention, investigation and trial as well as abolition of trumped allegations and charges.

“Say No To ‘Holden Charge’, Archaic Laws & Practices: Citizens’ arrests, detention, investigation and trial must at all times be in full compliance with the provisions of Sections 33, 34 and 35 (4) of the country’s 1999 Constitution and related others in the country’s int’l rights treaty laws. All forms of ‘Holden Charge’ or ‘Prosecutorial Vindictiveness’ and archaic jurisdictional practices must be abolished.

“There Must Be Specialization Of Trial Courts: There must be carried out urgently and legislatively or administratively in Nigeria the carving out of ‘Criminal High Courts’ and ‘Civil High Courts’. This is for purpose of ensuring speedy and ICT accelerated trial or fair justice dispensation.

“End Hate & Racial Policing: Discriminatory, sectional, hate and racial policing in the country must end. Racial profiling must give way for plural or balanced, secular, meritorious and professional policing.”

Previous Recommendations

 The Convener of Nigerians Unite Against Terror (NUAT), Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin has noted that the recent calls for the end of Nigeria Police Force’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) showed negligence of previous recommendations of how the Police should conduct its engagement with citizens.

Dr. Okei-Odumakin who is also the President of Women Arise and Centre for Change stated this in a statement made available on Wednesday.

She recalled how the Women Arise through NUAT in 2016, embarked on a nationwide advocacy which resulted to various meetings in an effort to address issues surrounding SARS activities.

She explained that there was “an agreement between our group and the leadership of the Nigeria Police on the training of SARS personnel, which held across the 12 zonal commands of the force simultaneously between 19th October – 21st October , 2016.

“The training, titled “Humans Rights: Strategies for Cordial Police-Citizens’ Relations”, for SARS officers in the 12 Police Zonal Commands aimed at enhancing the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force through training on human rights and citizens’ relations with a view to facilitating respect and defence of the fundamental rights of citizens.

“We also aimed to bring about cordial relationship between the citizen and the Police.

“Beyond a reorientation of the Police, it was also our aim to advocate for the eradication of crime and terror in the country by working with the Police and other law enforcement agencies, using training, campaign, education, information-sharing, network-building, and other sensitizations for police/citizens cordial relations to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria.”

She, however, expressed disappointment that the Police and its personnel are still entangled around issues that were raised earlier.

“This suggests a negligence of previous recommendations of how the police should conduct its engagement with citizens,” she noted.

“We do, therefore, sincerely hope that the ongoing agitations will ginger the Police leadership to address these core issues and genuinely address our concerns as Nigerians,” Dr. Okei-Odumakin added.