JUST IN: Okowa Confirms Release Of 14 Detained #EndSARS Protesters

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state on Thursday confirmed the release of all fourteen #EndSARS protesters who were arrested and detained in connection with the reported killing of a police corporal in Ughelli, Delta State.

The governor who took to his verified twitter handle to announced the news, said that the moves was tailored toward meeting the genuine demands of the #EndSARS protesters across the country.

“In line with our commitment to meet all the legitimate requests of the #EndSARS protesters in Delta State, all the protesters that were previously detained by the Police in Ughelli have been released”, the governor tweeted Thursday evening.

BIGPEN recalls a presidential panel on the reform of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) had on Tuesday accepted the five-point demand of the #EndSARS protesters, Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, said in a press statement.

Over the past few days, there have been renewed calls for the scrapping of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigeria police force over reports of brutality and extrajudicial killings.

Following the protests, Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), had disbanded the SARS unit.

President Muhammadu Buhari had also issued a directive, calling for a reform of the police force.

However, the protests have continued, with activists issuing a five-point demand which include release of all persons arrested and justice for victims of police brutality.

Other demands are “setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days); psychological evaluation of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed, and increase police salary so that they can be adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens”.

According to the statement issued on Tuesday by Adesina, at a meeting convened by the IGP with stakeholders, it was agreed that the demands of the protesters would be met.

BIGPEN understands Governor Okowa, following this, had met with the State Police Commissioner to ensure unconditional release of the detainees – some of whom had already been remanded at the federal custodian center, Sapele and the Warri correctional center pending advice by the Department of Public Prosecution.

The protesters were arrested and arraigned before an Ughelli Magistrate court, headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of the state in connection to the violence that led to death of a police corporal identified as Stanley Etaga and an operative attached to the Eagle Net Squad, Sergeant Patrick Okuone, who also sustained life threatening injuries during the clash that ensued during the protest at the Otovwodo axis of Ughelli.

But consequent upon legal advice from the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Peter Mrakpo, Governor Okowa was said to have prevailed on the Delta Police Commissioner, Hafiz Inuwa, to release the suspects.

Okowa had directed his Justice Commissioner to file for a Nolle Prosequi ( “to be unwilling to pursue”) charges levelled against the detained protesters.