addresses reporters in Abuja on July 15, 2019.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie
Omo-Agege has condemned the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad (SARS).
He expressed concern over the incessant cases of extrajudicial
killings, harassment, illegal arrest, and extortion of defenseless
citizens by some officials attached to SARS in different parts of
Nigeria.
Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate 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’ over 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 security units in the country.
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Tactical Squads From Routine Patrols
Senator Omo-Agege called on the police authorities to fish out
the culprits for prosecution, stressing that this will serve as a
deterrent to others.
While calling on security personnel to always maintain the rules
of engagement, the lawmaker urged the youths in the area to
exercise utmost restraint while the investigation is ongoing.
“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
sacrosanct.
“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.