#EndSars: Key Points From DCP Mba's Live Chat With Naira Marley After Cancelled Protest

The Deputy Commissioner of Police Frank Mba, on Tuesday, October 6, had a live session with Nigerian singer Naira Marley over the brutality meted out on Youths by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

AllNews earlier reported that celebrities, in a renewed online protest, took to their social media pages to call for an end to the squad with several hashtags such as #EndSars, #EndSarspermanentlyNow, etc.

Naira Marley earlier planned a protest which was to hold on Tuesday, but the "Tesumole" crooner on the said day announced that the protest will no longer hold, but, as "Marlians" the SARS will be given a week ultimatum to review their activities and if there are no changes, a mass protest will hold.

The singer's announcement came after the Nigeria police force announced that the cries of the youths were heard "loudly and clearly" and proposed a live interview with him on the situation.

The live session on Instagram which saw the participation of over 31,000 Instagram users, saw the singer pose some questions to Mba on activities of SARS.

Key Points from the live session on SARS brutality

1. Prior to the appearance of the DCP, Naira Marley stressed that the protest was not canceled based on his fears, but for the safety of Nigerians due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has prohibited the gathering of much people.

2. Mba expressed gratitude to Naira Marley for the initiative and boldness towards calling for an end to the brutality meted out on innocent youths. According to the DCP who admitted that the police have the capacity to protect lives and not to mete out unjust treatments, the force had no idea of the planned protest until Monday.

3. Mba assured Nigerians, particularly the youths that every reform will be strictly adhered to, for instance, the routine check-ups in different parts of the country have been stopped.

4. He said the SARS operatives have no right to go through mobile phones or other properties of citizens.

5. Choices of citizens will be further be respected, as there won't be harassment of citizens who wear dreadlocks or tattoos. 

6. "We have several young officers in the police force and they will be your new ambassadors in the police and we are recruiting another 10 thousand more. We encourage young people to be part of the system and also make changes in their communities," Mba said.

7. Asked if it is a crime to record an interaction with any policeman who goes from legality to illegality, the DCP said it is not a crime, but citizens should be mindful of sensitive areas and armed policemen, Soldiers, etc.

Mba added that the video evidence should be sent to the official DM of the police force.

8. The DCP called on well-to-do Nigerians and the government to contribute little of their wealth to the development of the security sector, through the purchase of body cameras, among others.