#EndSARS: NEC warns against fresh protests, to prosecute erring policemen
In receipt of reports from judicial panels regarding #EndSARS protests set up in 28 states across the country and in the FCT, the National Economic Council (NEC)…
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In receipt of reports from judicial panels regarding #EndSARS protests set up in 28 states across the country and in the FCT, the National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved that payment of compensation to victims should proceed.
NEC said this should be done with each state, in collaboration with the federal government, establishing the modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the panels.
Equally, NEC, which is composed of all state governors and representatives of the federal government, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, also unanimously resolved to ensure the prosecution of persons indicted by the panels.
The council specifically directed states “to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons.
“Where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.”
NEC, however, advised those planning protests to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS to reconsider the option in view of “current security situation across the country.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Laolu Akande, while speaking on the outcome of the meeting said the advice was given because of the possibility of such protests being hijacked by criminals to cause mayhem at “such protest events and venues.”
NEC called on security agencies to ensure that persons recruited into arms-bearing security agencies undergo psychiatric evaluations and drug tests before enlistment and periodically after enlistment to ensure that the personnel are psychologically fit to carry live weapons and to identify behavioural tendencies that may require psycho-social interventions.
The council also urged the federal government to give priority to the general welfare of police officers and personnel of other security agencies.
In particular, it advocated review of pension and gratuity of retired police officers and attainment of parity of remuneration by police officers with sister security agencies.