Police Brutality: TMC calls for urgent tripartite agreement to fully address Nigerians’ concerns
Sequel to the #EndSARS protests that have gained nationwide momentum, The Muslim Congress, TMC on Thursday called for the setting up of a tripartite committee comprising of Nigeria Police representatives, Federal Government representatives and representatives of the protesters that will also include members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to look into drafting a long-lasting and far-reaching solution necessary for curbing police brutality and coming up with their agreements within four weeks.
The Congress, in a statement by its Amir, Luqman AbdurRaheem, PhD, said the tripartite committee became necessary following the distrust between the people and those assigned to protect them over cases of extortion, human abuse, killings and other unaddressed issues that culminated into a nationwide agitation that later led to the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and creation of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.
The Amir also appealed to Nigerian youths to listen to the voice of reason and allow the government work on their demands.
The statement read: “We have all witnessed the vigour and energy that the Nigerian youth have put into seeking redress for the brutality associated with the Nigeria Police in general and particularly referring to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The SARS was a special unit created for quelling the criminality of armed robbers and kidnappers. But unfortunately, the high-handedness of the SARS has caught the attention of the public on several occasions.
The Nigeria Police has severally promised to tackle the high-handedness of its personnel without actually making any headway. Rather than make headway, the high-handedness became worse leading to what we are witnessing today. It is given that when you continually push people to the limits, it is certain that they are going to fight back through the type of protests that we have witnessed in the last few days.
The people certainly have the right to protest whatever they feel is not going well in the country. But this is an issue that has persisted for sometime without a concrete solution being put in place by the Nigeria Police. But we are glad that this time the Nigeria Police has seen the need to accord importance to the protests by first promising again to reform the SARS. With the protests not abating, the Nigeria Police realised that events have passed the issue of reforms but rather a ban is what is needed at the moment.
We commend the President of the Federal Republic, Muhammadu Buhari, for his address to the people on the ongoing protests and his assurance that the disbandment of SARS is the first necessary step towards extensive reforms in the police. We also commend the courage of the Nigeria Police leadership in banning the SARS and coming up with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit. But upon the announcement of SWAT, the protesters came up with #EndSWAT. This is to show that the protest is not just about the brutality by the former SARS but rather the brutality in the rank and file of the Nigeria Police. We urge the Nigeria Police to be on the same page with the protesters that what is imperative is putting a stop to brutality across the entire policing architecture.
This simply means that it will not be enough to change the name and commence training again but rather to ensure that policemen of the former SARS that are culpable of high-handedness and criminality are not made members of the new SWAT. The training should also be such that prioritizes the protection of the human rights of the people in the engagement procedures that the new SWAT employs in carrying out its duties. These are guarantees that must be put in place with practical structures that ensure that it is only criminals that are rightfully and procedurally arrested and brought to book. The new SWAT must not be found to disturb, extort or harass Nigerians who go about their lawful businesses without contravening the laws of the land.
The Nigeria Police must see the handwriting on the wall and make the necessary changes that will birth an entire police system that is responsive and responsible and also meets the need of a people-oriented policing in line with 21st century realities regarding the protection of the human rights and freedoms of the people. The Nigeria Police must go a step further to investigate and find solutions to the high-handedness and brutality ravaging its personnel. This might include setting up a recruitment process that is more transparent and deters criminals from enlistment. Secondly, it will be expedient to flush out all members with criminal records and those who have been found culpable of the brutality that has led to the ongoing protests. Thirdly, it will be necessary to reward officers who have distinguished themselves and have discharged their duties while following engagement procedures and without violating the rights of the people. Fourthly, protecting the human rights of the people must be the new mantra of a new police that will be the pride of the nation. Fifthly, the police should enforce video recordings amongst its personnel while carrying out their operations. This will serve as self-monitoring that ensures its personnel are deterred from doing what is unlawful.
Despite the backlash that the Nigeria Police has received especially in the last few days, we commend and salute the courage of the professionally-minded members of the police. Those are the members who have approached their work with diligence, truthfulness and probity. We encourage you to continue to do your work diligently as you risk your lives in your commitment to fatherland. We assure you that the nation recognizes your efforts and that the fruits of your labour will never be in vain. Be confident that the little candle you hold in the darkness will eventually extinguish it. It is a matter of time.
The Federal Government has the responsibility to ensure that the Nigeria Police is well-funded and well-remunerated. Adequate training and regular promotions must be done to enhance the morale and professionalism amongst the personnel. Enhanced intelligence gathering and digitally-enhanced operations will ensure that the Nigeria Police is more responsive and responsible. The funding does not leave out the states who must contribute their quota towards enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of policing in Nigeria.
We commiserate with the dead amongst the protesters and members of the Nigeria Police. We urge restraint from the Nigeria Police especially against using live bullets on the protesters in order to avoid further casualties. The protesters must also commit to peaceful protests without any element of violence and destruction. Let us ensure that there is free flow of traffic so as not to disturb other people that are going about their lawful businesses. But it will be better to bring the protests to a closure so as to limit the unnecessary loss of precious lives and avoid further damage to the economy.
The government needs to urgently set up a tripartite committee that includes the Nigeria Police representatives, Federal Government representatives and representatives of the protesters that will also include members of the Nigerian Bar Association to look into drafting a long-lasting and far-reaching solution necessary for curbing police brutality and coming up with their agreements within four weeks. This is necessary in protecting the interests of all concerned and in ensuring the safety of our national well-being. Also of utmost importance is the unconditional release of all protesters who have not committed any criminal act in the course of the protests. We also support that the Nigerian Bar Association should be made to look into the veracity or otherwise of the alleged offences of detainees at all former SARS detention centres with the view to freeing those who have not committed any crime against the nation. It is important that the Federal Government takes this proactive step by urgently constituting the tripartite committee in order to stop the protests from continuing and degenerating to actual chaos and breakdown of law and order leading to more losses of lives and properties.
From the foregoing, it is imperative that the protesters must listen to the voice of reason and have hope and confidence in the assurance of the President that this time concrete steps will be taken to reign in police brutality. The protesters must be calmed by the fact that this time their voices have been heard and that their grievances will be looked into in a more effective and efficient manner. The President has also harped on the necessity of investigating and bringing to book the members of the former SARS that are found wanting in the professional discharge of their responsibilities.
We urge the protesters to sheathe their swords and return home peacefully knowing that they have contributed their part and made tangible sacrifices for a nation that is peaceful and free. Let our youth be confident that a bright future awaits them irrespective of the faltering steps that Nigeria takes today. We will emerge stronger and better from the foibles of today and some day look back that our sacrifices were certainly not in vain. We salute your courage and confidence and we can always count on you to lead with the discipline and intelligence that our nation requires.”
