The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the use
of live ammunition by the Nigeria Police in the ongoing protests
against police brutality in the country.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, NBA
President, Olumide Akpata, said the use of live bullet will only
aggravate the already tensed situation in the country.
“Under no circumstances should the use of live ammunition
against peaceful and lawful protesters be tolerated,” he said.
“Those found culpable must be apprehended and made examples of
in the wake of the protests that have resurrected the consciousness
of the Nigerian society and indeed the international community to
these very important and systemic issues.
“The NBA is convinced that the disbandment of SARS or any other
unit by whatever name called, reposting or transferring officers of
any disbanded unit and other reactions will only scratch the
surface and not offer long-lasting solutions to the endemic issues
bedevilling the Nigeria Police as currently constituted.”
Speaking further, Akpata called on the Federal Government and
state governments to protect the rights of citizens participating
in peaceful protests across the country.
In doing this, the NBA leader wants security agencies to be
warned against “assaulting, attacking, abusing or otherwise
harassing or otherwise using force against citizens who seek to
have their voices heard through the peaceful protests.”
No Spill Of Blood
Meanwhile, ex-President h as broken his silence on the protest
against police brutality in the country, warning that no Nigerian’s
blood should be spilled.
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Taking to Twitter, Jonathan who described the protest as
peaceful said the move would advance the cause of Nigeria.
“No Nigerian blood needs to be spilled or life lost during a
peaceful protest that seeks to advance our country,” he said.
“We may hold different views on national issues, but there is no
doubt that most people desire the same thing for Nigeria: a place
where we can all live out the full potential of our God-given
abilities. I implore everyone to exercise restraint as we walk
through these challenging times.”
Jonathan’s remarks followed the series of protests by thousands
of youths have been protesting against police brutality, harassment
and killings by policemen across major cities since last week.
No Nigerian blood needs to be spilled or
life lost during a peaceful protest that seeks to advance our
country. We may hold different views on national issues, but there
is no doubt that most people desire the same thing for Nigeria:— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) October 13, 2020
As part of measures to reform the Nigeria Police, the Inspector
General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, ordered all personnel of the
disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to report to the force
headquarters in Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical
examination.
While the time-frame for the medical evaluation has not been
disclosed, the IGP said that the officers are expected to undergo
the process as a prelude to further training and reorientation
before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.