By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
Following the action of aggrieved youths in Ughelli area of Delta State who on Sunday went on mass protest, accusing operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of allegedly killing or manhandling of a young man, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has weighed in, expressing concern over the alleged activities of the SARS that led to the incident as reported.
The youths in their droves were seen in a viral video, riding motor and hired truck, conveying white coffins to expressed their anger over the alleged SARS brutality.
The protesters were heard chanting “No more SARS in Ughelli, No more SARS oo”.
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They demanded that government should ban SARS officials from operating in the Ughelli part of Delta State, a plea the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has yielded to, following his announcement on Sunday that operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and Special Tactical Squads (STS) have been banned from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties.
Reacting to the alleged shooting, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Omo-Agege on Sunday expressed concern over the alleged activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that led to the incident as reported.
He expressed displeasure over the incessant cases of extrajudicial killings, harassment, illegal arrest and extortion of defenceless citizens by some officials attached to SARS in different parts of Nigeria.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Yomi Odunuga, Senator Omo-Agege specifically cited the alleged shooting of a man by operatives of SARS in his constituency in Ughelli, Delta State over the victim’s alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone as well as another shooting of a youth in the town by men of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’ also on the victim’s alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone, to buttress his argument on the need for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of police units in the country.
Senator Omo-Agege who doubles as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution called on the police high-command authority to fish out the culprits for prosecution.
While calling on security personnel to always maintain the rules of engagement, the lawmaker representing the people of Delta Central Senatorial zone at the Upper Legislative Chambers urged youth in the area to exercise utmost restraint while investigation is ongoing.
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“Those who are authorised to bear arms and maintain law and order in the country ought to understand that such must be exercised with responsibility especially when human life is sancrosant.
“I hope those who are quick at pulling the trigger would adopt strategies that would foster mutual understanding between them and those they are tasked to protect, in their bid to save the lives of Nigerians. It would be a depressing twist of fate for them to be listed among those contributing to the list of the dead in this challenging period globally,” he said.
This development is coming on the heels of an order by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Abubakar Adamu, who on Sunday banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).
The police force in a statement signed by its PPRO, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Mba ordered that all stop and search duties and patrols by SARS are hereby terminated with immediate effect.
This directive is premised on nationwide outcry and demand by Nigerians that the FSARS be banned following endless harassment and killing of youths by SARS.
The IGP also warned against invasion of privacy of citizens, unauthorized search of phones and laptops. The police boss who ordered that no personnel should appear in mufti but uniforms during patrols or tactical assignments rolled out severe punishment for violators of the new order.
Part of the state that read: “FSARS, STS, IRT & other Tactical @PoliceNG Squads operating at Federal, Zonal & Command levels are hereby BANNED from carrying out routine patrols & other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, roadblocks, traffic checks, etc with immediate effect.
“All Tactical Squads must also desist from the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, Laptops and other smart devices.”
