News, Society

Red Card Movement Calls For Scrapping Of SARS

On Sunday, March 31st, 2019, Nigeria witnessed another alleged brutal killing of Kolade Johnson by the same people who are commissioned to secure the lives and property of the citizens. This act of extra judicial killing, confirms the unnecessary implementation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the country.

It is evident that this armed force has done more harm than good to us since its establishment. It is condemnable that officers of the law who are constitutionally assigned the task of protecting citizens from all forms of criminal attacks, are now the ones that brutalize, kill, harass and threaten citizens! Our movement condemns in very strong terms such extrajudicial killings, being carried out by our security agents.

In light of this, the new legislative bill attempting to reform the Nigerian Police Force should be passed into law by the Senate as quickly as possible, and the bill should be subject to extensive public scrutiny through a public hearing, to make it very inclusive. With the myriad of challenges facing the Nigerian security system, it is expedient that the safety and fundamental rights of every citizen are adequately protected and enforced by the ruling government. Hence, this is the core function of governance.

See also  Association of Telematics Operators of Nigeria Berths

The need to have a less corrupt policing system in Nigeria is highlighted by the bill as noted under Section 24 of the Police reforms bill. Section 28 provides that no one should be detained without been charged to court, to try curbing the rampant issue of illegal detention. Many suspects are being held in prison for weeks, even years, without being constitutionally tried for their alleged offenses.

The speedy passage of this bill will give citizens a sense of security and possibly increase the level of public perception toward the Nigerian Police personnel, given that an average Nigerian believes that the Police are not adequately professional in their dealings with the public. There have been so many reports of harassment, indiscriminate torture and degradation of vulnerable citizens in the hand of SARS. And with the recent unjust assassination of Kolade Johnson, Red Card Movement (RCM) joins majority of citizens who are clamouring for its abrupt end.

See also  McEnies Global Communications, Perfect Clicks And Ruby Models Launch To Offer Integrated Solutions For Nigerians

One of the problems of the country is the fact that many times, bills and laws start with a good intention but in the long run, this intention becomes lost due to selfish interests. The Police Reforms Bill should not suffer such fate. The benefit of this bill is to ensure more efficient and better policing for the country in this 21st century.

This should be at the front burner of all our efforts. We hope that the Senate will take into consideration the grievances of the public and act accordingly, to eliminate this menace, and help prevent subsequent killings. Upon transmission of the inclusive police reform bill, we urge President Buhari to quickly sign it into law.

See also  Jim Iyke On His Private Life

In the meantime, it is recommended that a powerful federal government delegation is sent to the Johnson family to empathize and commiserate with them, bearing in mind the pain they must be experiencing at the moment. More importantly, the death of Kolade Johnson must not be swept under the carpet as a minor mishap. We understand that the government may be doing all it can, within its power, but more measures should be taken to ensure that the confidence of the masses in their leaders is not lost.

Justice must be served!