CAN, Church leaders stand with Nigerian youths …Demand total overhaul of nation’s policing system
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some church leaders have called for total overhaul of Nigeria’s policing model to meet international standard.
The church leaders called on the leadership of the Police Force to listen to the legitimate public outcry against the excesses of some officers, the brutality and harassment of the youth population by “men in black”.
They said it was sad that those empowered to provide security and ensure peace and order had now turned against the people they were meant to protect.
On the several reports and accusations of extra-judicial killings by the now disbanded SARS officials, the church leaders said it was incredibly sad and troubling.
Accordingly, they are of the view that the only way of assuaging the anger in the land now was to ensure that guilty police officers were brought to face the law, and justice seen to have been done, because such heinous crimes must not be condoned or allowed to continue.
“We are aware of the circumstances that led to the agitation which included but not limited to alleged extra-judicial killings, unlawful arrests and detentions, extortion, tortures, and disappearances of detainees,” said Samson Ayokunle, the CAN president.
He however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-general of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for being sensitive and responsive to the clarion call for the scrapping of SARS.
The CAN president equally ac
knowledged the spontaneous nature of protest nationwide but regrets the loss of lives and the destruction of some property in the cause of the mass action.
“Uniformed men and women should cherish the rare opportunity the country gave them and the trust of handling the security of the nation by behaving responsibly. They should make us to be proud of them,” said Ayokunle.
Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, on his part said the recent increase in allegations of
police brutality, particularly SARS operatives, against Nigerians, mostly youths across the country was not only a breach of professional conduct but also showed wickedness and lack of respect for the citizens for whose welfare they were set up in the first place.
Martins in a statement signed by the director of social communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, reiterated the need for a total overhaul of the present structure of the Police Force in the country and the reorientation of the personnel to make them more efficient and accountable for their actions.
“In recent times, we have received several reports and seen many online videos alleging that some personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, especially SARS operatives, have been involved in various acts of brutality and extortion against innocent citizens of this great country.
“One wonders why this is the case. Inability to bring them under control gives room for people to insinuate that the top echelons are themselves compromised. It would be sad if this is found to be true,” said Martins.
In order to restore the integrity of the Nigerian police, Martins called on President Buhari to prevail on the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector-general of Police (IGP) to commence a thorough and realistic review of the entire structure of the Police Force.
“It would not be fair to the hardworking and thoroughbred professionals among the officers whose integrity have been put on the line unless a permanent halt is put to the rot that has been festering in the system over the years,” Martins said.
Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), in a show of support for the protest on his official Twitter handle said: “The Redeemed Christian Church of God identifies with Nigerians presently protesting against police brutality and the abuse of power by the very institution established to protect them.
“Our daughters will not be able to prophesy and young men will not see visions if we don’t keep them alive. I support the youths in this peaceful protest as they ‘ speak up’ to #Endpolicebrutality #ENDSARS #ENDSWAT,” Adeboye stated.
The clergyman also calls for the reorientation and total overhaul of the police force. “While noting that many innocent lives have been lost through unnecessary brutality and wrong application of force, the church calls on the government to not only restructure the police but to also re-orientate the officers towards modern ways of policing”.
Adeboye equally states the position of the church on the protest by saying, “The church declares its understanding and appreciation of the concerns and grievances of the youths and the generality of Nigerians and calls for an immediate end to police brutality in the country.
“The church welcomes the disbandment of the SARS, and notes the establishment of a new outfit called the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) but advises that it should not become a case of old wine in a new bottle,” said Adeboye.
A Port Harcourt-based preacher, Rev Shedrack Charles, the zonal coordinator, Church of God Mission International (CGGMI), Nkpolu Rumuigbo Zone, PH, said the protest should be for a better Nigeria.
He therefore, urged Nigerians to protest for a change in our systems, processes and mindset. “If we get it right there, then Nigeria and all its component parts will be a better place”.
If the FG has already disbanded the police unit in response to the massive protests what’s the need for more protest on the same issue? ....by Rev Charles .
According to him, the current agitation is not about SARS, FSARS or any agency or individual; “it’s about the system that churn us out. The system that makes us who we are, the Nigerian production process,” said Charles.