The speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has reiterated the resolve of the House to ensure that key reforms are institutionalized within the Nigerian Police Force .
The Speaker said that the House had on Wednesday last week urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, to produce immediate plan for the identification and compensation for victims of police brutality in the country.
Mr Gbajabiamila stated this when he received a delegation led by popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke (Davido), who came on a courtesy visit to convey to the Parliament deep grief of the Nigerian people over police brutality.
The Speaker said the House identified with the need to reform the police and had taken steps to address the situation, such as the recent Police Reform Act.
“The amended Police Reform Act contains most, if not all, of the grievances and demand Nigerians want to see, including a functioning police complaint unit that should be a liaison between the citizenry and the police, as Nigerians can no longer live in fear of those who are supposed to protect them,” The Speaker said.
Mr Gbajabiamila said the House would ensure that the inhuman treatment meted on Nigerians by some of the SARS operatives are addressed.
He noted that all the demands relayed have been captured in a motion sponsored by the House Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, before the protests even commenced.
The speaker observed that several resolutions were reached from the motion, some of which had been identified and implemented by the police authorities, such as the demand that the IGP take decisive action to stop the brutality and human rights violation by SARS and report the actions to the House within three weeks.
According to him, the House also demanded the setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of officers found culpable of such violent misconduct.
In his remark, David Adeleke expressed the displeasure of Nigerians towards what they termed government’s insensitivity to those being governed.
While acknowledging the fact that there are honest and hardworking personnel within the SARS operatives, David Adeleke said the bad ones have dented the image of the unit.
He recounted his role in the #EndSars protest the day before, stating that the people want trust, accountability and communication.
On his list of demands, Davido asked for the immediate release of all arrested protesters nationwide during the “ENDSARSNOW” protest, and justice for all deceased victims of police brutality over the years and appropriate compensation for their families.
Radio Nigeria
