Okowa Charges IGP To Initiate Comprehensive Police Reform, Says SARS Disbandment Just A First Step

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Muhammed A Adamu, to go a step further to initial the process of a total overhaul of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said that ending the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was just a first step to comprehensive police reform.

Lending his voice to the debate over SARS atrocities, Okowa said; “Today, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide. This disbandment is in response to the #EndSARS protests, which became a national and an international movement.

“Finally, let me say that the IGP should not stop at disbanding SARS. That is the first step of the many that are required to carry out a comprehensive reform of the Nigerian Police Force.

“Such a reform should cover all matters that relate to recruitment, training and welfare of the rank and file. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the governor tweeted.

Governor Okowa had earlier called for calm in the state as the country continues to record protests by citizens, including Deltans, against the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor acknowledged that citizens had the right to protest against any case of perceived wrong in the society, but cautioned that such right must be exercised within the ambit of the law.

He said that the reported killing of a policeman and injuring of another officer of the Police Force during the #ENDSARS protests in Ughelli area of the state on Thursday was disheartening, and advised that citizens should eschew taking laws into their hands.

The governor sued for calm and urged the police authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the issues and fish out those who turned a peaceful protest into violence.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the Commissioner of Police, the Delta State Police Command and the family of the deceased officer, in the unfortunate incident of Thursday at Ughelli,” he said.

While sympathising with the Police, the governor urged the Inspector-General of Police to embark on a reform of the tactical squads of the Police Force in the best interest of the country.