Muhammadu Buhari (President, Fed. of Nigeria)
An appeal for understanding and calm has been made by the Federal Government concerning the #EndSARs protest, as the implementation of the reforms in the Nigeria Police gathers pace at both Federal and State levels.
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said that President Muhammadu Buhari had welcomed the establishment of the Judicial Panels of Inquiry in 13 States so far as resolved by the National Economic Council (NEC) to address the question of redress and justice for victims of police brutality across the country.
These are the 13 States: Lagos, Kaduna, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Plateau, Edo, Nasarawa, Ondo and Akwa Ibom.
He also said that the President restated his commitment to supporting the State governments to ensure that justice is achieved for all victims of police brutality.
What we have done so far:
The Presidential spokesman, Adesina said the president was working hard to meet the demands of the protesters.
“The President in June 2019 signed a Bill establishing the Police Trust Fund, to mobilize additional funding for the welfare and equipping of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Accrual of funding into the Fund, as specified in its enabling Act, has commenced.
“President Buhari in 2018 approved an increase in Police salaries and the Police personnel budget has seen a rise from 288 billion Naira in the 2018 Budget to 417 billion Naira in the proposed 2021 budget; an increase of 45 per cent.
“Only on Tuesday, at the commissioning of the Nigerian Police Pension Fund Limited building, the President also reiterated continuous support for both serving and retired police personnel.
“The President has equally approved the rollout and funding of a new Community Policing Initiative, as part of a larger programme of police reform in Nigeria, aimed at rewriting the rules of engagement between the Force and citizens.
“The President in September 2020 signed the new Nigeria Police Act, the first comprehensive revision of the Police Act in decades.
“President Buhari said the immediate dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), was the first step in a set of reform policies that will deliver a Police system accountable to the Nigerian people.
“The President has also approved full implementation of the report of the 2018-2019 Presidential Panel on Police Reform.
“The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) have now commenced the implementation of the Report,” he said.
Source: All Africa;
