Kwara to set up committee to implement #EndSARS panel recommendations

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara state, on Wednesday, received the report from the state’s panel of inquiry on the #EndSARS protests.

The three-volume report was submitted to the governor by Tunde Garba, chairman of the panel.

The panel’s report was based on various petitions bordering on alleged police brutality, unlawful arrests, extortion, violation of fundamental human rights and impunity.

AbdulRazaq thanked the panel for a thorough and timely investigation of the petitions.

He promised to set up an implementation committee on its recommendations.

“Kwara State is one of the few states that are turning in their reports. It shows that we are on track. We will also set up an implementation committee to look into the recommendations of the panel,” AbdulRazaq said.

“I thank the committee for doing very delicate work. You were able to bring your experience and expertise to bear on the difficult task. We understand from the size of the document you are submitting that a lot of work has gone into it. You needed more time which we acceded to.”

The governor commended the police and other security agencies in Nigeria for their services to the nation while asking them to continue discharging their duties in line with the law.

“We must thank the Police and other security agencies for their services to Nigeria for keeping us safe. We encourage them to do their work diligently. Some of the demands of #EndSARS are already being met by the president. Salaries and emoluments of the police are being looked into,” he said.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is also rolling out a lot of programmes through the social investment programme for the youths and indigents to ensure there is prosperity in the country.

“We need to remain focus and maintain law and order to tame the current insecurity in the country. We need to live together peacefully for the progress of the country.”

The panel recommended, among other things, that some erring personnel of the defunct Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) named in unlawful activities be prosecuted and legitimate petitioners compensated.

Garba said if the government adopts the recommendations of the panel, it will help to support victims of identified cases of police brutality and also improve the living conditions of serving and retired police officers.

“The report is in three volumes; volume one is the main report, volume two contains the petitions received and adopted by the panel while volume three contains the list of all the exhibits tendered and admitted during the panel’s proceedings,” Garba said.

“The main report contains proceedings, our findings and recommendations on each of the 25 petitions received and treated holistically by the panel. It is therefore our hope that the recommendations therein if adopted by the government will wipe the tears and put a smile on the faces of all the victims of police brutality and even the serving and retired police officers inclusive.”