UPDATED: Buhari Okays Recommendation To Set Up State, LG Police

* Approves dismissal of 37 police officers, renaming of
SARS

President Muhamadu Buhari has directed the Inspector General of
Police (IGP) to work with the National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) to produce modalities for the implementation of
recommendations of the commission’s panel among which is the
establishment of state and local government police.

The Presidential Panel on Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)
Reform headed by Tony Ojukwu, which was constituted as a result of
public outcry and various media reports on allegations of human
rights violations perpetrated by officers and men of the squad,
submitted its report to the President on Monday at the presidential
villa, Abuja.

Buhari has directed that the implementation of the report be
effected within three months.

The panel also recommended 37 Police officers for dismissal from
the force, 24 for prosecution while it directed the IGP to unravel
the identity of 22 officers involved in the violation of the human
rights of innocent citizens.

It also directed the police to pay compensation for various sums
in 45 complaints and tender public apologies in five complaints,
noting that the police must obey court orders in five matters.

The panel also directed the police to immediately arrest and
prosecute two retired senior Police officers found to have violated
the rights of citizens (one for extra-judicial killing and the
other for an illegal takeover of the property of a suspect).

The Panel disclosed that it recovered two vehicles illegally
auctioned by SARS officers and returned them to their owners

Other significant recommendations made by the panel after
considering 113 cases of human rights complaints from around the
country and 22 memoranda on how to improve the police force, are
significant 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; Institutionalizing a Special Investigation
Panel to annually hear and determine complaints on alleged human
rights violations against operations of the Nigeria Police
Force;

and strengthening the Police Rapid Response Complaints Unit of
the Nigeria Police and other internal complaints mechanisms of the
Force to make them more responsive.

The panel similarly recommended the renaming the SARS to
Anti-Robbery Section (ARS) which was its original name and to make
the section operate under the intelligence arm of the Police from
the divisional, area command, state command, zonal command up to
the Force Headquarters level.

The panel maintained that this will also remove the stigma
presently associated with the name SARS.

While receiving the report, the President affirmed that
reforming and repositioning the Nigeria Police Force to be more
effective and efficient in safeguarding lives and properties,
apprehending offenders and generally improving the internal
security of the nation in line with extant laws and international
best practices has been one of the major policies of his
administration.

He recalled that to reposition the Nigeria Police Force to
effectively carry out its statutory responsibilities, he had

taken major steps by increasing the workforce of the Nigeria
Police as well as improving the welfare of Police officers,
“because they put their lives on the front line on a daily basis so
that the rest of us may freely go about our business in safety.
“

Buhari added: “However, in carrying out their statutory
responsibilities, the Police must at all times act within the ambit
of the law and must not violate the fundamental human rights of
Nigerians whom they have sworn to protect.

“Where the rights of Nigerians are violated by Police Officers
while discharging their functions, the Government has a
responsibility to address the instances of violation in line with
its human rights obligations and ensure that such Police Officers
are held accountable for their actions.

“It is in recognition of our obligations under the Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and International Human Rights
Laws, that this Administration decided to set up this Presidential
Panel and directed the National Human Rights Commission to
constitute its membership in order to investigate the various
public outcries and media reports alleging human rights violations
against citizens by officers of SARS.

“The panel was empowered to make appropriate recommendations not
just for holding Police Officers found wanting accountable, but
also, on ways SARS and by extension, the Nigeria Police could be
generally reformed.

“The decision directing the National Human Rights Commission to
constitute the membership of the Panel and to take the lead in
investigating the said allegations of human rights violation, was
borne out of the mandate of the National Human Rights Commission
which include the promotion, protection and enforcement of human
rights in Nigeria as enshrined under sections 5 and 6 of the NHRC
Act, 1995 (as amended).

“It is also in recognition of the fact that the decisions,
determinations and recommendations of the Commission are binding
and enforceable as provided under section 22 of the NHRC Act, 1995
(as amended).

“I am very happy with the work of the Panel and thank the Panel
members for working hard towards the realization of the
Presidential Directive.

“I believe that the Report of the Panel and recommendations
contained therein would go a long way in redressing the grievances
of the complainants, ensure accountability on the part of the
Police Officers in discharging their responsibilities and
facilitate the various Police reforms being introduced by this
administration.

“I want to assure you and all Nigerians that this Administration
will continue to fulfil its obligations of promoting and protecting
human rights of Nigerians, and will give the National Human Rights
Commission all the support required to ensure full implementation
of the recommendations contained in its Report.

“In addition, we will strengthen the operations of the
Commission to enhance its effectiveness and capability to resolve
cases of human rights violations.

“This administration is conscious of the role the Commission
plays in ensuring security and stability in the nation through the
resolution of complaints of human rights violations, which if
neglected, could result into major security challenges.

“As you are aware, I have recently approved the reconstitution
of the Governing Council of the Commission. The names of the
Council members will be submitted to the National Assembly for
confirmation before the inauguration of the Council in line with
NHRC Act, 1995 (as amended).”

While thanking the Panel he directed that “since the
recommendations of the Commission that constituted the Panel are
enforceable as decisions of the Court, that the Inspector General
of Police and the Solicitor General of the Federation/Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice meet with the Commission to
work out the modalities for the implementation of the Report within
3 months from today.”

With Ojukwu, who is also the Executive Secretary of NHRC as
chairman, members the panels are Tijani Mohammed, David I.
Shagba,

Hashimu Argungu, Professor Etanibi Alemika. Chino Obiagwu, Ms
Iyabode Ogunseye and Abdulrahman Ayinde Yakubu who is the Secretary
of the Panel.

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