Sanwo-Olu to get justice for victims of SARS brutality

*Marches with protesters in Alausa, announces plan to compensate victims

Etim Effiong

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has activated the process of getting justice for the victims of brutality and extra-judicial actions allegedly committed the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, said the State Government will be setting up a panel of enquiry that will comprise youth leaders appointed by EndSARS protesters, members of the public, Government officials and security agencies to look into the allegations of human rights abuses levelled against SARS operatives in Lagos.

The objective of the panel, the Governor said, is to bring indicted officers to book and get justice for victims of SARS operations.

Besides, Sanwo-Olu also set up a Trust Fund to compensate the families of the victims of police brutality in the State. The process of managing and disbursing the funds will be completely supervised by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) appointed by members of the public, the Governor said.

Sanwo-Olu was addressing youths protesting against SARS’ excesses at the State House in Alausa. The protesters were led by Nollywood actors, musicians, and comedians, including Debo Adebayo, popularly known as MC Macaroni, and Oluwatoyin Bayegun, also known as Woli Arole.

It was the second time in two days Sanwo-Olu would be meeting face-to-face with youths leading EndSARS protests. Yesterday, the Governor was at the Lekki Toll Plaza where protesters camped and blocked the expressway.

Sanwo-Olu said he identified with the protesters in their campaign against police brutality. He, however, pleaded with the aggrieved youths not to undermine the legitimacy of their grievances by being violent and destructive.

The protesters at Alausa handed a communique to the Governor, which detailed their five-point demand.

Sanwo-Olu said the government will be addressing three of the protesters’ demands that are within the purview of the State and promised to engage the President and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the remaining demands.

According to the governor, he would continue to engage the Federal Government to initiate reforms that will bring about the police force that will protect and respect the rights of the citizens.

He said: “I understand a lot of youths have been battered and maimed by the people who are supposed to protect you. I understand you all are feeling the pain of brutality, which is why you have been taking to streets to express your disappointment. Your voice has been heard loudly and actions have been taken from the highest office in the land to address your grievances. It is time to for us to move forward and engage further on your demand.

“There is a five-point demand which you have submitted to us today. You demanded for the release of all protesters arrested on Monday. All of them have been released unconditionally. You demanded we set up a meeting that will lead to the process of getting justice and compensation for the victims of SARS brutality. I have instructed the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to set up a panel of enquiry ASAP that will get justice for the victims.

“We request that any citizen who has had a fatal encounter with SARS in Lagos to come forward and bring their cases to the panel. We will get justice for them. I have also set up a trust fund for the compensation of all victims of SARS brutality. For those who have died, we will be reaching out to their families. We request you (the protesters) appoint your representatives into the panel and the Trust Fund for transparency.”

Sanwo-Olu said the fourth and fifth points in the protesters’ demands, which border on police reforms and improved remuneration for police officers were not in the purview of the State. He, however, promised to personally deliver the message to President Buhari and the IGP.

Sanwo-Olu expressed concern over the violence that marred the EndSARS protest in Surulere on Monday when a civilian and a police officer died. He said the State Government was investigating the matter but pleaded with the protesters not to take the law into their own hands.

Sanwo-Olu told the demonstrators that he would be leaving the protest ground for Abuja to meet with President Buhari and the IGP as he had promised.

He said: “As I did promise you yesterday that I will be meeting with Mr. President today to physically present your demands to him. From this protest ground, I will be leaving for Abuja to meet with President Buhari and IGP. I will deliver your message and demands.”

The governor, who carried placard, marched along with the protesting youths in Alausa.