Buhari Meets VP, IGP on Police Reform, endorces peaceful protests
President Muhamadu Buhari has met with his Vice, Osinbajo and the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu last night IGP on the Police/SARS matter. He assured them that police reform was inevitable.
The president also affirmed rights of Nigerians to peaceful protests. Below is a direct statement from the president:
“I met again with the IGP tonight. Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt. I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the Police are fully accountable to the people.
The IG already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses and ensure erring personnel are brought to justice.
I appeal for patience & calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.
The vast majority of men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are patriotic and committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians, and we will continue to support them to do their job.”
I have seen the genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases, extra judicial killings and wrongful conduct of men of the Nigerian Police Force.
The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.
…we deeply regret the loss of life in Oyo State. I have ordered that the circumstances of his death should be investigated.
