The Conundrum of End SARS Protest By Wale Abydeen; Despite poor welfare package, Nigerians who volunteer to jettison their rights, pleasure and freedom by providing security for the citizenry should not be so neglected. For “a society which attacks its police must be ready to negotiate with criminals”

Nigerians was understandably busy in the past few days. It was as if there was a looming revolution. From Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt to Asaba, it was an army of youths, matching on the streets, with one voice, chanting, ‘END SARS’.
Unavoidably, states governors Babajide SanwoOlu of Lagos, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara and few others join the protest and solarize with the populace.
In an unusual gesture and for the first time in the history of Buhari led administration, protesters were supported by the police and other security agencies. The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu on Thursday issued a stern directive, warning all Police Officers across the country against the use of force on peaceful protesters. In a press statement signed by police spokesman, DCP Frand Mba and made available to SECURITY MONITOR, “the IGP notes that citizens have fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and movement which must always be upheld and protected by the police”. And so police were seen accompanying protesters in Nigeria.
The IGP however appeals to protesters to continually conduct themselves peacefully and guide their ranks against infiltration by criminal elements.
“The IGP stresses that the Force leadership has clearly heard the voice of the people and is irrevocably committed to doing everything within its powers to address the observed ills, punish any offending officers and promote a people-friendly police force”.
Lagos, the center of excellence was the cynosure of all aggrieved youths as various protests were organized in different parts of the state. Following the NEC meeting in Abuja on Thiursday, SanwoOlu addressed the protesters. “I am here to address us all on the current situation in the State with regards to the ongoing ENDSARS protests and agitations for comprehensive Police reform. I will also be providing an update on the Coronavirus pandemic in our dear State.

As a government, we have engaged the protesters. The Deputy Governor and I have met with them on numerous occasions, we have listened to their concerns and agitations. We were both physically at the Lekki Toll Gate and the Alausa protest scenes to speak to our teeming youths in order to calm them down and assure them that their grievances had been heard and would be addressed.
The governor further stated that a Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses in Lagos State is now being constituted. This seven-man panel, according to Governor SanwoOlu will ensure that all those with verifiable cases of SARS brutality or fatality receive compensation. SanwoOlu noted that the Panel will be chaired by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi. Other members of the panel are: Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN (representing the Civil Society); Rtd. DIG Taiwo Lakanu (a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police); Ms Patience Udoh (representing the Civil Society); Mr. Segun Awosanya (Human Rights Activist); Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Citizens Mediation Center); as well as a rep/member of the youth-led protest and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.

The position of government was imperative since the protesters have genuine cause and rights to protest. Unarguably, their rights have been over the years violated by some overzealous police officers hence the need for such inquiries and compensation.
Despite poor welfare package, Nigerians who volunteer to jettison their rights, pleasure and freedom by providing security for the citizenry should not be so neglected. For “a society which attacks its police must be ready to negotiate with criminals” After all some irate youths, indulge in mob attack that led to the death of some police officers while many others sustain various degree of injuries. Where did they get guns? Why are they attacking police during protests? Who sponsor them and why are some of them armed themselves with weapons and charms? These and many other questions seem rhetoric as no one is ready to explain the absence of moralism and patriotism towards a nation building. Although, findings depict that the army of unemployed youths, the rise and rise in internet fraud and many other factors militating against security system in the country.

On Thursday, 8th October, 2020, there was a violent attack on policemen and damage to police operational vehicles and other assets by ENDSARS protesters in Ughelli, Delta State The incident which resulted in the unfortunate death of one Police officer, Corporal Etaga Stanley attached to ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, Delta State who was attacked and brutally murdered by the protesters also left another, Sergeant Patrick Okuone with serious body injury sustained from gunshot by the protesters.
The protesters also carted away one (1) service AK47 rifle with breach no 56-2609008 and 25 rounds of live ammunition that was with the deceased at the time of the incident.
Another terrified situation occurred on the 13th October, 2020, some violent protesters, who were on rampage, attacked the policemen posted to Oshodi Tapa Police Post, which was formerly used by the just disbanded SARS, as a satellite office, and injured them.

The policemen, who scampered for safety, sustained degrees of injury but Force Number 409931 Sgt Ellah Michael was fatally injured and he is recuperating at the Police Hospital.

The protesters intentionally went to besiege the police formation which was being used by SARS operatives before the disbandment and since been taken over by the operatives of Adeniji Adele Division in compliance with the IGP’s directive and closure of all SARS offices including satellite offices across the state by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State

IGP Adamu became angry with the protesters attacking police officers. He described such attacks as cruel and unwarranted. He warned that the Force will no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel or any member of the law enforcement community by any individual or group protesting under any guise.
The IGP notes that protest by citizens remain a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views. It must however be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the confines of the law.
The IGP, while condoling the family and friends of the late Corporal Etaga Stanley who paid the supreme price in the service of our dear nation, equally commended the officers of the Delta State Police Command for exercising restraint in the face of the immoral and unjustified provocation
IGP Adamu directed the Commissioner of Police, Delta State to carry out a discrete investigation into the unfortunate incident, root-out the perpetrators and bring the killer protesters to book.
Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said that government is not only committed to full-scale police reform but also ensuring that wrongful acts are duly investigated and prosecuted.
The Vice President gave the assurance when approached by State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Monday, just after the President assured Nigerians that “the disbandment of SARS is the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people”.
If Perhaps, the society can not do without the police, the laudable chants of the protesters is that the police must be reformed.