Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: IGP Mohammed Adamu

How #EndSARS Protest Violently Leads to Death of a Police Inspector Killed, One Bystander and Critically Injures Two Officers in Lagos

The #EndSARS protest Monday turned violent in part of Lagos State as the demonstration consumed the life of a police inspector and a bystander, leaving two other officers critically Injured.

Confirming the development, Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that some armed protesters laid siege on the Anti-Kidnapping Unit Office of the command located at Iyun Road in Surulere, broke into the cell and liberated two of the kidnap suspects.

In the ensuing melee, Adejobi said Inspector Ekei Joshua with AP No 175493; Inspector Peter Agabi with AP No 251138; and Inspector Erinfolami Ayodeji with AP No 229241(now late) attached to the Anti Kidnapping Unit were shot and critically injured.

Aftermath of #EndSARS: Presidential Panel on Police Reforms Okays Five-point Demand of Protesters

According to him, “Today, being 12th October, 2020, at about 1pm, some armed protesters laid siege on the Anti Kidnapping Unit Office of the command, broke into the cell and liberated two of the kidnap cases suspects, before they were tactically and professionally repelled.

“In the process, Inspector Ekei Joshua with AP No 175493, Inspector Peter Agabi with AP No 251138 and Inspector Erinfolami Ayodeji with AP No 229241(now late) attached to the Anti Kidnapping Unit of Lagos State Command, located at Iyun Road, Surulere were shot and critically injured; they have been rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

“In addition, the protesters fired and killed one Ikechukwu Ilohamauzo, 55 years, a driver of one Toyota Sienna Bus, with Registration Number LSD 296 FX, who got stuck in the traffic caused by the blockage of the road by the violent protesters, in Surulere today.

IGP Replaces SARS with SWAT, Directs Personnel of New Team to Report to Abuja for Debriefing and Medical Examination

“It is petinent to state that the attacked police inspectors and Mr Ikechukwu Ilohamauzu were hit and injured by pellets reasonably fired from pump actions/locally-made guns. The corpses of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.”

The Public Relations Officer noted that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the Homicide section of SCID, Yaba to carry out thorough investigation into the incidence for further police actions.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Government has also corroborated the narrative by Lagos State Police Command.

The state government, in a statement by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, dismissed the widely publicised notion that an #EndSARS protester was killed.

“The attention of Lagos State Government has been drawn to reports that an #ENDSARS protester has been killed in Surulere. This is not true.

“A group of hoodlums stormed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Hogan Bassey Street, Surulere, to free two suspects standing trial for alleged kidnapping. They shot three officers. One of them, Inspector Erinfolami Ayodeji, unfortunately, died. The others are Inspectors Ekein Joshua and Peter Agabi.

#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Identifies with Demonstrators, Meets Buhari Tomorrow

“The hoodlums, while escaping, fired into the air. A bystander was hit. He also died – sadly,” Omotoso said.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones, praying God to strengthen them.

He urged all those concerned to ensure that protests do not degenerate further and create room for hoodlums who do not mean well for our society, adding that the state government is working with the police to ensure the restoration of the peace that Lagos has always been proud of.

Also, Lagos State Commissioner of Police has called for calm and professionalism from the protesters and police personnel respectively as the #EndSARS protests have been hijacked by some unscrupulous elements, who are fully armed.

Odumosu urged protesters to be peaceful and avoid violent attacks on police personnel or any other security agents, warning them not to harass innocent Lagosians by picketing them to forcefully join the protests; and should avoid blocking access routes or roads for other Nigerians who are as well entitled to their fundamental human rights.

He also appealed to parents and guardians to keep watch on their children and monitor their activities to avoid being mobilised and used for illegal activities in the state.

October 14, 2020
IGP Replaces SARS with SWAT, Directs Personnel of New Team to Report to Abuja for Debriefing and Medical Examination

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, Tuesday yielded more grounds to the yearnings of the #EndSARS protesters by officially replacing Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) with a new team called Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

The new team is expected to fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS.

Prospective members of the new team, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, have been ordered to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

#EndSARS: House of Reps Commends Buhari, Directs IGP to Commence Police Reforms

The officers, formerly known as SARS personnel, are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

It would be recalled that Adamu had over the weekend announced the dissolution of SARS unit after days of agitation across the country.

Despite this, protest continues in major South-west, South-south, South-east and North-central regions of the country.

The medical examination would be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties.

#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Identifies with Demonstrators, Meets Buhari Tomorrow

The unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, public relations practitioners, civil society and other human Rlrights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

Adamu, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the personnel are to commence training at the different police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week.

While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-east and the South-south would be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College in Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-west would be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende in Nasarawa State; and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun in Osun State, respectively.

BREAKING: IGP Bows to #EndSARS, Disbands SARS Nationwide

While reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the police reforms, IGP enjoined members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a police force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.

Idowu Sowunmi

October 14, 2020
Aftermath of #EndSARS: Presidential Panel on Police Reforms Okays Five-point Demand of Protesters

A meeting with the leadership of Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders had agreed to meet the demands of the #EndSARS protesters which included halting use of force against demonstrators and unconditional release of arrested Nigerians.

The meeting affirmed and described the five-point demands of the protesters and the #EndSARS movement as genuine concerns that should be urgently addressed by the Federal Government.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), it was agreed thus:

“Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, there arose the need for stakeholder engagement to build trust and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

“The agitations also brought to the fore, the need to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“The Forum was addressed by the Inspector General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

“The Forum collectively: welcomed the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; reaffirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest; further affirmed the sanctity of life of every Nigerian and the role of the Police in protecting this right; affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the #EndSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the government.”

Police Killings: IGP Adamu Bans FSARS, Other Tactical Squads from Patrols

Following directives by President Muhammadu Buhari on dissolution of SARS and immediate response to yearnings of Nigerians, Adamu Tuesday replaced the squad with a new team called Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and convened a stakeholders’ meeting.

The meeting, organised by the Office of the Inspector General of Police and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), was a multi-stakeholders’ forum attended by Ministry of Police Affairs, Police Service Commission, leaders and representatives of civil society organisations in Nigeria, activists from the entertainment industry and the #EndSARS movement and development partners.

According to the communiqué signed by the Inspector General of Police and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, Esq, the Forum noted that the dissolution of SARS presents an opportunity to embark on comprehensive reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian Police Force as a modern, responsive and citizens-centred law enforcement organisation.

“The Forum further notes that the proposed reforms should be anchored under the basis of the White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was jointly authored by the National Human Rights Commission, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force.

#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Identifies with Demonstrators, Meets Buhari Tomorrow

“The Forum affirms that reform proposals for the Nigerian Police Force will be based on Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and existing legislations such as the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2010 amongst others.

“Following the dissolution of SARS, the Forum calls for the following immediate steps to be taken in restoring public confidence and trust in the Police: an order by the Inspector General of Police to all State Commands to halt the use of force against protesters; unconditional release of arrested protesters and citizens; open communication and outreach to citizens to establish trust and confidence and a roadmap for the implementation of the White Paper of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS.

“The Forum welcomed the proposal to set up an Independent Investigation Panel to look into the violations of human rights by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Nigerian Police. The Forum agrees to the setting up of this Independent Panel by the National Human Rights Commission within the next one week. An open call for Memoranda from members of the public whose rights have been violated by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Police will be released by the Commission within one week.

“The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment. The Forum resolves to set up the following Technical Sub-Committees to design an implementation roadmap and work plan for the implementation of the White Paper: Training, Capacity and Re-orientation; Logistics: Infrastructure, Communications and Technology; Arrest, Detention, and Investigations; Regulations, Oversight and Accountability and Financing and Partnerships.”

Buhari-led Government Approves 5for5 Demand of #EndSARS Protesters

The communiqué stated that sub-Committees would be supported by the National Human Rights Commission and other civil society organisations.

Those who attended the meeting include: Kole Shettima of MAC Arthur Foundation; Innocent Chukwuma of Ford Foundation; Jude Ilo of OSIWA; Segun Awosanya (segalinks) of #EndSARS Movement; Yemi Adamolekun of Enough is Enough; Clément Nwankwo of PLAC; Rafsanjani of CISLAC; Kemi Okonyedo of PWAN; YZ of CITAD; Folarin Falana Falz; Deji Adekunle of NIALS; Chris Ngwodo ( SSA to President Research & Policy); Fatima Waziri (Rule of Law Adviser); and Abdulrahman Yakubu of NHRC Secretariat.

Others are: Hilary Ogbonna of NHRC secretariat; Halilu Adamu of NHRC Secretariat; Ben Aguh of NHRC secretariat; Uju Agomuoh of PRAWA; and Onyinye Ndubuisi of UNDP.

Idowu Sowunmi

October 13, 2020
#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Identifies with Demonstrators, Meets Buhari Tomorrow

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Monday showed class and identified with #EndSARS protesters.

Sanwo-Olu, who declared that he was addressing the demonstrators not just as a governor, but as a father, brother and son, explained that the safety of everyone involved in peaceful protests across Lagos was important.

SERAP condemns Buhari, demands end to criminalising peaceful protesters in Nigeria

He added that he’s communicating with Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, and other relevant security agencies in order to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.

Sanwo-Olu noted that as a servant of the entire people of Lagos, he would be meeting President Muhammadu Buhari tomorrowvl (October 13) in Abuja.

Buhari-led Government Approves 5for5 Demand of #EndSARS Protesters

While identifying with the protesters, the governor said the #EndSARS campaign touched on the essence of democratic freedom, adding that citizens must never be denied the right to protest and their voices heard.

According to him, “I was at the venue of one of the #EndSARS protests today. The safety of everyone involved in peaceful protests across Lagos is important and communicating with the Commissioner of Police, this is what we want to guarantee on all sides.

Beyond SARS

“Tomorrow, I will be meeting with HE President Muhammed Buhari in Abuja.

“As a servant of the people, my job is to listen and do everything within my power to act while managing the nature of the problems our people are protesting against. I am proud of our youth and the courage they are displaying in articulating their grievances.

“I identify wholeheartedly with the #EndSARS campaign as it touches the essence of democratic freedom.

“Citizens must never be denied the right to protest and your voices have been heard.

#EndSARS: Governor Abiodun orders release of protesters

“A clear pronouncement has been made and Mr. President has addressed the nation. All SARS officers involved in the killing of innocent people and engaging in the abuse of human rights will be brought to justice.

“My stand on #EndSARS is unmistakable and I assure you that I identify with this protest because your concerns are legitimate. The protest is in good faith but we have to be peaceful and decorous in expressing ourselves.

“I have received the news of casualties at the Surulere protest as well as other developments we are monitoring. We mourn with the families of those who have lost their loved ones.

“Please do not allow your protest be hijacked and used by people with a pre-existing vendetta.

“We must prevent the escalation of issues and I am meeting with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other security leaders in a few minutes to ensure that live rounds that could lead to further casualties are not used at all as the police looks to maintain peace during the protests.

#EndSARS: House of Reps Commends Buhari, Directs IGP to Commence Police Reforms

“I want to appeal to the protesters to take a break from protesting tomorrow. Tempers are at a highest on all sides at this time and while we work to prevent escalation, the safety of our residents is paramount.

“I speak not just as a governor, but as a father, brother and son.”

Idowu Sowunmi

October 13, 2020
Police Killings: IGP Adamu Bans FSARS, Other Tactical Squads from Patrols

Tactical squads within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been banned from carrying out routine patrols and othe conventional low-risk duties.

According to a statement by police spokesman, DSP Frank Mba on Sunday, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu ordered that “all FSARS, STS, IRT & other Tactical Police Squads operating at Federal, Zonal & Command levels are hereby banned from carrying out routine patrols & other conventional low-risk duties – stop & search duties, checkpoints, roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect.

READ ALSO: Video: Atiku, Saraki Condemn Killing of a Young Man by SARS in Delta

The IGP also warned that: “Henceforth, no police personnel is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti”.

The statement by Mba further stated that: “All Police Force personnel must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear.

“All Tactical Squads must also desist from the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.

“Henceforth,the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State/FCT Commands as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, will be held liable for any police misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR)” the IGP warned.

The IGP assured that authorities will step up monitoring of all activities of Tactical Squads (FSARS etc) and other police officers, nationwide, and ensure the prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all officers who violate these directives and other Force regulations.

Furthermore, the IGP stated that the NPF’s complaint Response Unit (@PoliceNG_CRU on Twitter) will also continue to be available to receive and investigate complaints against Police Officers, for appropriate action.

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IGP Adamu however encouraged Nigerians to make available full details of incidents to the Unit, using any of their contact details.

This directive comes barely 24 hours after a young man was reported to have been killed by FSARS operatives in Delta State on Saturday. The ugly incident sparked renewed anger and clamour amongst Nigerians for an end to the squad, which many believe has gone rogue and unable to protect citizens.

Read NPF HQ’s press statement below

October 4, 2020