#EndSARS: Youths in Lagos Commence 3 Days Protest (PHOTOS + VIDEOS)
Youths on Wednesday protested in Lagos against the alleged brutality and extra-judicial killings by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
According to the youths, the protest will hold for three days across the state.
They commenced the protest with a march to the Force Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, through the Computer Village, Under Bridge, carrying placards with various inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read āProtect not exploitā, āNigeria police stop killing usā, and āsay no to brutal injusticeā among others.
In a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the protesters demanded the ātotal disbandmentā of FSARS.
In the letter, which was dated October 7 and titled āPetition against the activities of SARSā, the protesters also copied the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.
Part of the letter read, āIn spite of several reforms announced by the Inspector General of Police, cases of abuse of citizens by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad have increased without any steps taken by the high command of the Nigeria Police Force to address the fundamental problem of impunity of operatives of SARS.
āWhile we continue to witness the unpleasant consequences of the crime-fighting strategy of the force that promotes extra-judicial and extralegal measures, extortion for self-enrichment and lawlessness, the non-adherence to the prescription of the law poses greater consequences for ordinary citizens who are the victims of the brutality of SARS Squad.
āWe hereby demand total disbandment of SARS and the identification of cases of extrajudicial execution, torture, and ill-treatment that have caused death or severe injury to be subjected to independent, prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation, and officers reasonably suspected of criminal responsibility be brought to justice.
āThis must include superior officers who knew or should have known of officials under their command resorting to the unlawful use of force and firearms if they did not take all measures in their power to prevent, suppress or report such use.ā
They also demanded that the IGP should publish a list of culpable officers and make available a digital platform for tracking cases with the police.
The petition added, āIn the spirit of fairness, justice, and tranquility for victims ā both dead and alive ā we also demand adequate compensation for citizens who may come open with verifiable evidence of their ordeal in the hands of FSARS operatives
āWe demand that all SARS cells across Nigeria be opened for an independent investigator to look into cases of detainees.ā