#EndSARS: Senator Musa hails Buhari, IGP for disbandment
…Says “SARS was a danger to our society”
The Lawmaker representing Niger East Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for acting on the calls by Nigerians to disband the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) saying the unit remains a danger to the people and society it was created to protect.
Senator Musa in a statement he signed and made available to Journalists on Tuesday said “I join many Nigerians in the sentiment that if change and reform are not effective in SARS – the only viable option is the dissolution.”
Senator Musa who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Senate Services, while commending the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for disbanding the SARS, said the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been the topic of many discussions, particularly with regards to human rights violations and police brutality.
Accordingly, he said “more recently, Nigerians have gathered in their thousands, across all regions as a united force, to combat a virus that they see and fear daily.
“We were recently on-lookers as Americans gathered en masse to demand police reform, many of us shared the hashtags and the frustrations, but these same issues are occurring here at home and Nigerians have decided that enough is enough.
“The evidence against SARS is not short of damning, from reports from Amnesty International to videos and witness statements that indicate not just a flagrant abuse of power, but a societal menace that affects everyone”.
Senator Musa while saying despite multiple previous attempts to reform SARS failed, added that “there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that the unit remains a danger to the people it was created to protect.”
“I therefore commend the prompt action of President Muhammadu Buhari for the condemnation of the abuse of power and police brutality recently perpetrated by SARS operatives, and the directive to the Inspector General of Police to immediately dissolve the SARS, which already the IGP has issued orders in that direction.
“The first step to change is acknowledgement. Nigerians as a whole have embarked on this cause, and I anticipate an end that will reflect the government’s commitment to protect and secure its citizens”.
He however applauded Nigeria youths for leading the movement and exercising their democratic rights to peaceful protest, adding that “I urge you to continue on the path of action taking as this is how nations are built. I commend you for your resilience. I stand as an ally in this movement as a Nigerian first, but also in my capacity as a lawmaker.
“I stand willing to support this cause. Be it through providing support for victims and their families or in the Senate where I trust my peers and I will continue to be advocates of continuous reform and development in all aspects, including the Nigerian Police force”.
He also frowned at some issues of breakdown of law and order in the society.
According to the lawmaker, “People still find it difficult to go out with fear of being attacked by bandits or kidnapped.
“Just on Monday, at least three people were killed by suspected bandits in my constituency, particularly at Tashan Kare village in Rafi local government area of Niger State.
“So, beyond scrapping SARS, the reform of the Police and by extension other security agencies in the country should also aim at boosting their efficiency in delivering better security cover for our people.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Senate Services further extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones that have been affected by the menace perpetrated by SARS operatives.
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