President Muhammadu Buhari has
directed the Inspector-General of Police, the Ministry of Justice and the
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to work out modalities for the
implementation of the report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) within three months.
A press release signed by the
deputy director of information at the State House, Attah Esa, said Mr Buhari
gave the directive on Monday while receiving the 2804-page report from the
Panel headed by the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, at the State
House.
The report of the panel is in
four volumes. It has among other recommendations the dismissal of 37 police
officers from the force and the prosecution of 24 officers.
“The panel also directed the IGP
to unravel the identity of 22 officers involved in the violation of human
rights of innocent citizens, while the police were directed to pay compensation
of various sums in 45 complaints and tender public apologies in five complaints
and to obey court orders in five matters.
“The Panel recommended the
establishment of State and local government police and the renaming of SARS to
Anti-Robbery Section (ARS), which was its original name, and to make the
section operate under the intelligence arm of the Police.
“Responding, President Buhari
said, inter alia:
‘‘I am very happy with the work
of the Panel and thank the Panel members for working hard towards the
realisation of the Presidential Directive.
‘‘I believe that the Report of
the Panel and recommendations contained therein would go a long way in
redressing the grievances of the complainants, ensure accountability on the
part of the Police Officers in discharging their responsibilities and
facilitate the various Police reforms being introduced by this administration.
‘‘I want to assure you and all
Nigerians that this Administration will continue to fulfil its obligations of
promoting and protecting human rights of Nigerians, and will give the National
Human Rights Commission all the support required to ensure full implementation
of the recommendations contained in its Report.
‘‘In addition, we will strengthen
the operations of the Commission to enhance its effectiveness and capability to
resolve cases of human rights violations.
‘‘This administration is
conscious of the role the Commission plays in ensuring security and stability
in the nation through the resolution of complaints of human rights violations,
which if neglected, could result into major security challenges.
‘‘As you are aware, I have
recently approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council of the
Commission. The names of the Council members will be submitted to the National
Assembly for confirmation before the inauguration of the Council in line with
NHRC Act, 1995 (as amended).
‘‘I want to thank the Panel once
more, and hereby direct that since the recommendations of the Commission that
constituted the Panel are enforceable as decisions of the Court, that the
Inspector General of Police and the Solicitor General of the
Federation/Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice meet with the
Commission to work out the modalities for the implementation of the Report
within 3 months from today.’’
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