Nigerian Presidential Panel Recommends Establishment Of State, LG Police
A presidential panel on the reform of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has recommended the establishment of State and local government police to confront the growing spate of insecurity in Nigeria.
Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu said the establishment would assist in addressing the security challenges in the Nigeria.
Ojukwu explained that the panel received 113 complaints on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22 memorandum of suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and the Nigeria Police in general.
He also mentioned that “At the end of its public hearing and having listened to complaints as well as defendants and their counsel, the Panel recommended thirty seven (37) Police officers for dismissal from the force. Twenty four (24) were recommended for prosecution.
”The panel also directed the Inspector General of Police to untangle the identity of twenty two (22) officers involved in the violation of the human rights of innocent Citizens.
“The police was directed to pay reimbursement of various sums in forty—five (45) complaints and tender public apologies in five (5) complaints and directed to obey court orders in five (5) matters.
“The Police was directed to immediately arrest and prosecute two (2) retired senior Police officers found to have violated the rights of citizens (one for extra-judicial killing and the other for illegal takeover of Property of a suspect). The Panel also retriveved two vehicles illegally auctioned by SARS Officers and returned them to their owners.”
“Some other key recommendations of the Panel include,” important improvement in the funding, kitting and facilities of the Nigeria Police Force; Strengthening Information and Communication Technology of the Force; Establishment of State and local government Police.”