More Twist In #EndSARS Tale: 19 Northern Govs Meet Buhari, Reject IG Disbandment Of SARS

There appears to be a new twist to the ‘political drama’ that have greeted the #EndSARS campaign and the recent disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

This comes as 19 Governors from the northern part of the country, on Thursday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari from where they aired their rejection of the order to dissolved the police unit.

This is also coming few day after 36 states governors met with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, on the security situation in the country, particularly the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) protests going on across the country.

Their rejection of the disbandment is coming as the #EndSARS campaign gains international recognition and have changed gear into demand for an end to corruption, bribery, nepotism, armed banditry and other social vices confronting the nation.

BIGPEN reports besides the United Nations which had lend its position through its Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, calling for calm from the protesters, Jack Dorsey, the Chief executive of Twitter had joined the push aimed at disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery (SARS) and putting an end to police brutality in Nigeria.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Jack urged all concerned to make donations via Bitcoin in support of the cause which has seen many Nigerians take to the street in protest.

The Twitter CEOs call is one of several made by various international groups, organizations, and celebrities from around the world, according to reports.

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But arising from its meeting with President Buhari on Thursday, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong, who doubles as Plateau state governor, told State House correspondents, that the police unit has been useful in the fight against insecurity in the region.

“SARS is not made up of bad elements alone as it also includes personnel who are doing their work diligently,” he said.

Lalong said what is needed is the reformation of the unit to enable it to discharge its functions “optimally”.

On Sunday, Mohammed Adamu, Inspector General of police (IGP), announced the disbandment of SARS following nationwide protests against alleged human rights violations by the unit.

But the protests continued as the #EndSARS campaigners demanded the prosecution of all officers named in cases of rights abuses.

The protests have spread across the country and have persisted for days.

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However, while there is a strong momentum of the citizen action in the south of the country, there is a passive response in the northern region.

The police leadership has promised reforms, setting up a new unit named — special weapons and tactics (SWAT).