Naira Marley cancels #EndSARS protest

Music star, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, has called off a protest he organised against police brutality. He disclosed this on his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday. Governors back SARS ban IGP bans SARS, other Tactical Squads from routine patrols He said the protest was called off because a lot of changes were […]

Music star, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, has called off a protest he organised against police brutality.

He disclosed this on his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday.

• Governors back SARS ban
• IGP bans SARS, other Tactical Squads from routine patrols

He said the protest was called off because a lot of changes were being made to resolve the issues at stake.

“We won’t be protesting anymore because there’s a lot of changes being made right now.

“As a Marlian we will give them a week to see the changes and if there’s no changes we will start a mass protest,” he tweeted.

The Nigeria Police Force followed up the cancellation with an announcement its spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, would have an Instagram Live interview with Naira Marley to address fears by young Nigerians on SARS operations.

“Today, Tuesday 6th October, 2020, by 11am, the Force PRO- DCP Frank Mba will be having a live Instagram chat with Naira Marley to answer questions and discuss the concerns of young Nigerians on the issues of SARS operations and other burning issues. Please stay tuned,” the police tweeted.

 

• Ban of SARS/FSARS patrols

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the police from routine patrols across the country.

It means SARS operatives can no longer do routine tasks as stop and search, road block check, traffic check or regular checkpoints.

Adamu said the squads affected by the ban are the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, according to a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba.

“In addition, no personnel of the Force is authorised to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti.

“They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear,” he said.

Adamu said the directives came against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under these guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality.

According to him, the IG has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorised search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.

He said the personnel were to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.

The IG said the FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country.

He however, condemned every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high handedness by some personnel of the Squads.

 

• Long line of complaints

The ban on SARS comes amidst complaints from mostly young Nigerians flooding social media with #EndSars #SARSBrutality.

The complaints range from extortion and intimidation to outright killing.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed concern over the exploitation of youths in the country by SARS operatives.

Recently, Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu tweeted to condemn the alleged shooting of a young man in front of a hotel in Ughelli by some SARS operatives.

The policeman is said to have driven away in a white Lexus SUV belonging to his victim.

The police action sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the police action and calling for urgent reforms.