…Says public confidence in police is at lowest ebb
The Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria has called for the setting up of an independent judicial panel of enquiry to investigate the Special anti Robbery Squad(SARS) in order to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police.
According to Lagos branch of PFN in a statement by Dr Sola Are,its chairman,the history of police brutality in the country calls for serious concern adding that it is obvious the Force cannot be reformed.
The PFN question the wisdom in the Inspector General hastily putting together a new outfit an action it said is not in tune with the realities of the nation.
While recalling the various cases of gruesome killings in police custody,it calls for punishment for those found culpable to restore public confidence in the police.
See full statement below:
PRESS RELEASE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP OF NIGERIA, LAGOS CHAPTER ON THE ONGOING #ENDSARS PROTESTS BY NIGERIAN YOUTHS.
Fellow Nigerians and citizens of this great country, we have witnessed in the last few days a growing agitation by our sons, daughters, nephews and nieces against the gruesome and murderous activities of killer cops has soared to new heights of notoriety and impunity, our young people and children are being hunted down, killed, extorted, raped and murdered in the most gruesome manner, while the police affairs ministry, the national assembly and the leadership of the Nigerian Police and the Presidency have looked on with a frightening lack of concern and empathy.
Today as parents, ministers and the conscience of the nation we join our children to say it is enough! We condemn with all vehemence the barbaric conduct of some members of the SARS unit particularly and other officers of the Nigerian Police Force in general.
We support the call for the disbanding of this unit of the Nigerian Police Force as it is obvious that they are beyond reform, we call on the authorities not to redeploy these men to other units without proper subjection to scrutiny.
Nigerians are guaranteed a right under our constitution to protest peacefully, we urge the authorities not to hinder this right in any form or manner.
We call on the authorities to ensure that all officers and men of the NPF no matter how highly ranked who are culpable in any acts of unleashing violence against protesters, who are culpable in acts of murder, kidnapping, extortion, assault, rape, intimidation of citizens to be prosecuted in an open and transparent manner.
We also call for the setting up of an independent judicial panel of enquiry that will investigate the SARS unit and determine the culpability or otherwise of its men and officers in the numerous acts of vileness alleged of them, many of which have been captured on camera.
It is clear that public confidence in the police and its leadership is at an all-time low and that they cannot be trusted to reform themselves, in the light of this we urge the President to set up a commission that will propose appropriate legislative and organizational reforms for the Nigerian Police.
The prevailing culture in the police is oppressive to the average citizen and seems to be skewed to protect the rich and powerful and oppress the weak and the poor.
We also use this opportunity to highlight the poor remuneration, living and operating conditions of the men & officers of the NPF, while this is no excuse for bad behavior, it is important for their all-round wellbeing that these areas must be improved very drastically.
As a body we believe that the strident cries and calls by our young people is in reality a call for a new Nigeria where equity, righteousness, justice, equal access to opportunities and national opportunity reigns.
It will be wise to give attention to these cries as it is in effect a desire that is burning in the hearts of all Nigerians regardless of tribe or religion.
We are quite alarmed that the IG of Police just a couple of days after announcing the disbandment of the SARS unit has gone on to announce the formation of a new SWAT unit, this hasty announcement is insensitive to public opinion and does not seem to have been very well thought out, we urge some restraint and caution in this matter.
We urge our young people who are standing up to be heard to do so firmly, peacefully and being mindful of the rights of others, the future is yours, and that future is here.
Finally, we call on the government and leaders at all levels to be more attentive and responsive to the cries in the land.
This is a great moment to create the Nation our youths want and deserve. All hands must be on deck and the Church will continue to be light, salt, the voice of the weak and the conscience of the nation
God bless and keep you
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Bishop Dr. Sola Ore
Chairman
PFN, Lagos State
