#EndSARS: Nigeria Governors’ Forum Charges IGP, Adamu On Extensive Police Reform

*Set up panels to compensate victims nationwide

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Thursday acknowledged the
concerns of many Nigerians, especially youths, who have been
affected by the excesses of some officials of the Federal Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Nigeria Police Force, saying,
however, that the disbandment of the special unit was not the
answer.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi,
after Wednesday night’s meeting, where the Inspector-General of
Police (IGP), Muhammadu Adamu, briefed the Governors, acknowledged
the excesses of the unit, but commended the efforts of officials of
FSARS in their States, noting that they have greatly assisted in
containing the rising spate of kidnappings, armed robbery, cattle
rustling, and other serious crimes, particularly in the northern
states, where containing criminal activities would have otherwise
been very challenging.

The NGF members, after deliberation and extensive discussions,
resolved the following in a communique released after the
meeting:

‘Governors were unanimous in their support for the IGP and
endorsed his plan to carry out far-reaching reforms geared towards
greater effectiveness, accountability and transparency; Members
called for increased regularity in the meetings of the Nigeria
Police Council in order for it to effectively carry out its
regulatory and supervisory roles as contained in the Nigerian
Constitution;

‘On the IGP’s plan to create SWAT, Governors stated that even
though the effort might be necessary and in good faith, they argued
that the timing is inauspicious as the mood of the nation negates
it and may understandably be misinterpreted as a surreptitious move
to dress FSARS in another garb;

‘Governors agreed that there was need for greater consultation
with the public before any decision is taken; Governors advised the
IGP to immediately convene a meeting of all stakeholders and agree
on a format of engagement with all State officials in order to
address concerns; and that State leadership should meet
simultaneously nationwide, to address matters arising;

‘Governors emphasized that reforms must include the training and
retraining of operatives on the rules of engagement with the
general public; Policing in Nigeria must ensure freedom for all
Nigerians to carry out their lawful and legitimate businesses
anywhere in the country without fear of harassment, intimidation or
molestation;

‘Governors advised that throughout the reform process, the room
for consultation may include sessions and direct feedback from the
public, stressing that there is no single solution that applies to
all the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital
Territory;

‘Governors were unequivocal that all police officers who
participated in the abuse or actions that might have led to injury
or the death of innocent citizens must be fished out and brought to
book while other Nigerians who have been adversely affected by
police brutality or other actions that were injurious to them or
their loved ones, should be compensated;

‘Each State is to set up a panel for compensation to all victims
and see to it that the necessary compensation is made to those who
deserve them. This must be systematically done to ensure that
nobody who deserves to be compensated, is left out;

‘The Forum directed its Secretariat to work with the police
authority to develop a framework for setting up a panel of enquiry
across all States to determine claims and compensation; Governors
are aware that some States have already started engaging protesters
and urged all States that have not commenced same to invite all
stakeholders in the matter to resolve these issues;

‘Members also recommended that the IGP, the Police Service
Commission and the Nigeria Police Council should immediately review
the Remuneration and Emoluments of police officers and explore ways
to fund this in order to incentivize and motivate police officers
who have pledged themselves in service of the country;

‘Governors enjoined the IGP to be ready to forge stronger
partnerships with State governments and the civil society to
improve civil relations between the Nigerian Police and the
Nigerian Public;

‘Members also agreed that the concerns of the public went beyond
a need for Police/FSARS reforms and included a demand for better
governance; They noted the need to engage, consult the public and
take decisions that address the underpinning issues leading to the
protests; Members noted that some States had already started the
process of engaging protesters and urged all States to engage all
stakeholders for a collectively agreed resolution.’

*Set up panels to compensate victims nationwide

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Thursday acknowledged the
concerns of many Nigerians, especially youths, who have been
affected by the excesses of some officials of the Federal Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Nigeria Police Force, saying,
however, that the disbandment of the special unit was not the
answer.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi,
after Wednesday night’s meeting, where the Inspector-General of
Police (IGP), Muhammadu Adamu, briefed the Governors, acknowledged
the excesses of the unit, but commended the efforts of officials of
FSARS in their States, noting that they have greatly assisted in
containing the rising spate of kidnappings, armed robbery, cattle
rustling, and other serious crimes, particularly in the northern
states, where containing criminal activities would have otherwise
been very challenging.

The NGF members, after deliberation and extensive discussions,
resolved the following in a communique released after the
meeting:

‘Governors were unanimous in their support for the IGP and
endorsed his plan to carry out far-reaching reforms geared towards
greater effectiveness, accountability and transparency; Members
called for increased regularity in the meetings of the Nigeria
Police Council in order for it to effectively carry out its
regulatory and supervisory roles as contained in the Nigerian
Constitution;

‘On the IGP’s plan to create SWAT, Governors stated that even
though the effort might be necessary and in good faith, they argued
that the timing is inauspicious as the mood of the nation negates
it and may understandably be misinterpreted as a surreptitious move
to dress FSARS in another garb;

‘Governors agreed that there was need for greater consultation
with the public before any decision is taken; Governors advised the
IGP to immediately convene a meeting of all stakeholders and agree
on a format of engagement with all State officials in order to
address concerns; and that State leadership should meet
simultaneously nationwide, to address matters arising;

‘Governors emphasized that reforms must include the training and
retraining of operatives on the rules of engagement with the
general public; Policing in Nigeria must ensure freedom for all
Nigerians to carry out their lawful and legitimate businesses
anywhere in the country without fear of harassment, intimidation or
molestation;

‘Governors advised that throughout the reform process, the room
for consultation may include sessions and direct feedback from the
public, stressing that there is no single solution that applies to
all the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital
Territory;

‘Governors were unequivocal that all police officers who
participated in the abuse or actions that might have led to injury
or the death of innocent citizens must be fished out and brought to
book while other Nigerians who have been adversely affected by
police brutality or other actions that were injurious to them or
their loved ones, should be compensated;

‘Each State is to set up a panel for compensation to all victims
and see to it that the necessary compensation is made to those who
deserve them. This must be systematically done to ensure that
nobody who deserves to be compensated, is left out;

‘The Forum directed its Secretariat to work with the police
authority to develop a framework for setting up a panel of enquiry
across all States to determine claims and compensation; Governors
are aware that some States have already started engaging protesters
and urged all States that have not commenced same to invite all
stakeholders in the matter to resolve these issues;

‘Members also recommended that the IGP, the Police Service
Commission and the Nigeria Police Council should immediately review
the Remuneration and Emoluments of police officers and explore ways
to fund this in order to incentivize and motivate police officers
who have pledged themselves in service of the country;

‘Governors enjoined the IGP to be ready to forge stronger
partnerships with State governments and the civil society to
improve civil relations between the Nigerian Police and the
Nigerian Public;

‘Members also agreed that the concerns of the public went beyond
a need for Police/FSARS reforms and included a demand for better
governance; They noted the need to engage, consult the public and
take decisions that address the underpinning issues leading to the
protests; Members noted that some States had already started the
process of engaging protesters and urged all States to engage all
stakeholders for a collectively agreed resolution.’