#EndSARS: Youths Hit Streets Of Lagos, Protest Against Brutality

Nigerian Youths on Wednesday marched to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, carrying placards with various inscriptions against the brutality and extra-judicial killings by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The inscriptions on placards carried by the youths who marched to the police headquarters through Computer Village, read ‘Protect not exploit’, ‘Nigeria police stop killing us’, and ‘say no to brutal injustice’ among others.

AllNews recalls that in a petition dated October 7 addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the protesters demanded the “total disbandment” of FSARS.

In the letter titled ‘Petition against the activities of SARS’, the protesters also copied the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

Part of the letter read, “In 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.

READ ALSO: SARS Killing In Nigeria: Man Beats Up Armed Officer (VIDEO)

“While 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.

“We 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.

“This 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.”

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, “In the spirit of fairness, justice, and tranquility for victims – both dead and alive – we also demand adequate compensation for citizens who may come open with verifiable evidence of their ordeal in the hands of FSARS operatives

“We demand that all SARS cells across Nigeria be opened for an independent investigator to look into cases of detainees.”

Meanwhile, Biafra political activist and leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has labeled the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) "a terrorist group".

In recent tweet, Nnamdi Kanu said;  "SARS is a terrorist group," Kanu said during his routine broadcast on Sunday, monitored by this reporter.

"From today, we designate them a terrorist group.

"They kill people, harvest their organ, and send them to India.

"Okosu SARS should be closed down.

"There should be no SARS in Anambra State. Because they are killing our people.

"SARS everywhere must seize operation.

"Wherever we see SARS conducting any operation, we will regard it as a terrorist act. And we are at liberty to defend ourselves."

"They claim that SARS are there to fight armed robbers, but they are the armed robbers. They are the ones killing."