• Home
  • ARTICLES
  • NEWS
  • BUSINESS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HEALTH
  • POLITICS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CRIME
  • METRO
  • SPORTS
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USAGE
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
DAILY GIST
  • Home
  • ARTICLES
  • NEWS
  • BUSINESS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HEALTH
  • POLITICS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CRIME
  • METRO
  • SPORTS
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USAGE
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • ARTICLES
  • NEWS
  • BUSINESS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HEALTH
  • POLITICS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CRIME
  • METRO
  • SPORTS
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USAGE
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
No Result
View All Result
DAILY GIST
No Result
View All Result

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: End SARS Or Reform SARS ?

Adam PR by Adam PR
October 12, 2020
in NEWS, Uncategorized
0
20.5k
SHARES
20.5k
VIEWS
Share on WhatsAppShare on TwitterShare on Facebook

It is a common saying that the police are your friend. But in a country like Nigeria, it seems the opposite is the case. The Police all over the world are state authorities vested with the responsibility on law enforcement and maintenance of order in the society. In carrying out their responsibilities,the police may be authorized to use reasonable force when the need arises.

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Police Act, international conventions,professional ethics and other statutes regulate and as well constrain the use of force by police in discharging their statutory functions.

Despite these regulations the police in many societies resort to using extreme force beyond limits as permitted by law in discharging their duties and in the process grossly disregard of the rule of law and resorted to killings extra-judicially, torture and subject civilians or citizens to all sorts of inhumane and ill-treatment; unfortunately, the same citizens that they have earlier sworn to protect.

Unlawful or extrajudicial killings, as it implies refers to killings outside the dictates of the law and the recent  upsurge in the menace, torture,degrading and inhumane treatment of citizens in the society by the officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)  reveals a need for the appraisal of the criminal justice system so as to prevent judicial usurpation and a lack of reverence for constituted authority which could result in the complete breakdown of law and order.

DAILY GIST in an exclusive interview with the Chairman, Equity Chambers OAU, Mr Adebiyi Fashoyin Abimbola extensively speaks on the #EndSARS or #ReformSARS issue currently ravaging in the country.

Sir, In just few words, what do you make of the present state of Nigeria ?

ALSOREAD

BREAKING: Panel Gives N146m To Victims Of Police Brutality

SARS Officials Reportedly Harass UNIBEN Students For Driving Range Rover (Video)

BREAKING: IGP Revives Disbanded SARS

Buhari Govt Announces New Update On NIN-SIM Linkage

BREAKING: Suspected Sponsor Of Gunmen In Imo Arrested (Photo)

As it stands Nigeria is dancing on the precipice. We are divided along racial lines, religious lines, even professional lines.

For the first time ever though, we seem to have come out as a generation though and I am impressed with Nigeria today.
That’s the result you get when you push someone to the wall. They bounce back. I must say Nigerian Youths prove that this time around.

Currently #EndSARS is being trending all over the world, do you think the protest in the first place was necessary?

Of course, it is necessary. Since the beginning of time, a mass of people have always had only one major way to get something from their leaders. I remember once when I met with a former clerk of my school’s student Union, Barrister Peniella, he said to me. “you cannot serve as a check on that which does not fear you.” Ordinarily, the legislature ought to do by way of bill what we are doing by way of protest, however in light of their repeated failure and treachery, we have a moral obligation to request an end to SARS. So if anything, #EndSARS is not a protest, it is a loud request, and it will get louder the more we are ignored.

Let’s say for instance, if schools( public Universities) had resumed in full and everyone was back at their duty post, do you think the protest would still have recorded the same level of success as it did ?

If we had resumed, the protest would be much more effective. OAU students for example regrouped to Ife to protest alongside their pairs.

Those who have not protested because their parents kept them indoors would be able to protest freely. Resumption would have in fact been a catalyst.

Major media houses in the country were been dragged for their supposed delay in covering matters relating to SARS. At the beginning, they refused to recognize the ongoing protest which of course was very visible. What do you think are the reasons responsible for this act by the Media Houses?

In Nigeria, we practice a system called democratic dictatorship. Major media houses can only do so much. The government simply has to threaten the owners of the media houses which is what they have done and will continue to do.

Some top politicians were accused of hijacking the #EndSARS protest for political gains, how accurate is this?

Let me put it like this, the primary aim of a politician no matter how radical is to be in power. He might have good intentions, but in reality, he still holds on to that primary goal. We did not need the wisdom of Solomon to tell us that politicians involved in the protest had goals, neither do we mind. Everyone has a right to ambition. The problem will arise when that politician attempts to downplay others in order to magnify himself.

So as far the accuracy, it would stand for me at 100%, but it is not unexpected. A businessman will always try to make profits, a musician will always try to ride a trend, a politician will always try to be in power, we are all using each other, the game is the game.

While vast majority are of the opioion that SARS be removed totally, another sect of Nigerians are of the view that the fear of SARS to some extent has proved useful to curb crimes and robbery. What do you say?

Well this is it, SARS officials are highly trained combatants (I like to believe so). It would be counterproductive to the state and to us for the government to fire them all. That’s like teaching people to be killers for the government then abandoning them. They will become the very thing they were created to combat, “armed robbers.”

For me SARS has helped curbed crimes. Whoever owns a gun with the intent of commiting crime will do so. If a force could curb crime, why are there still killer herdsmen? Boko Haram insurgents? Niger Delta militants?

The existence of tactical squads can mitigate these crimes, but it can only go so far. So what are we saying? We are saying that we recognize that the police officers cannot be fired, but we believe that they can be reevaluated, and retrained.

However, before that is done, the government must show respect to our cause by first and foremost ending the organization formally, properly. Every other discussion can occur after.

Days ago, the PRO of The Nigerian Police at first said said Federal Government can’t afford to scrap SARS away completely because of the huge investment put into the dreaded Unit. What is your view on this? Is Money more important than Human Life or there’s more?

First off, I believe that excuse is trash. What have they invested? Equipment, training, money. Would disbanding SARS mean burning their vehicles or destroying their guns? The government is playing intellectual hide and seek. Let them say it with their chest. The truth is they will not ban SARS because they are afraid. The moment they accede to our demands it will be ginger for us to protest more injustice in future. This end SARS protest is more than a protest for the unit. It is a question “can public opinion force a change in Nigeria?” The government is determined to make us believe that the answer is no.

It’s being days now into the #EndSARS protest, yet Mr President is yet to formally address the Nation. Is this a sign that he supports the killings or he’s just not sensitive to issues arising?

I think it’s both. The president has never been sensitive. This issue is not one that touches him directly. The truth is he cannot claim not to be aware thanks to the street protests. If he did not have the power to change things, then we could say he was being insensitive alone, but since he has that power, the power to stop the killings, the protests, everything, and he has not stopped it, we can also safely assert that he supports it.

How far can the international community go in pursuance of the vast majority of people’s decision to totally end SARS? How effective is their influence to a sovereign state?

International politics is about power. To force reversal of a policy, the international community has to condemn first, then introduce sanctions. If they were to sanction our government for human right abuses, then of course they would be quite effective, however it takes a lot for the international community to choose to take a stand and be rest assured, it is never altruistic. Their influence is strong, but they will only use it if they believe there is something to gain.

The IGP released a statement today saying that SARS has been dissolved. But going by the 5 points he noted especially statement 2 and 3, SARS isn’t dissolved but only reformed. Is SARS really dissolved or it’s just some sort of disguise ?

It’s a disguise, but we do not mind. What matters is that they shifted. However, we are not done, we are fighting against police brutality and abuse of power. It would have been wise for them to announce points 2 and 3 later if only out of respect. But since they have refused to, we move. We will continue to demand it.

Why exactly is the Federal Government of Nigeria reluctant to make an executive order scrapping the unit?

Like I said before, this protest is a question. The government does not need anyone to tell them, if they bow to pressure now, they will embolden the masses. It’s a domino effect. We tumble one unjust structure, we will certainly go after the next unjust structure.

Today the IGP dissolved SARS which everyone was really happy with the news. But the question is owing to current legislations, which one is feasible, #ReformSARS or #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG ?

None actually. To reform the police there would have to be large scale retraining of officers. We would literally need new legislation or an executive order. The end SARS is quite viable, but only as a means to an end.

Please sir, what do you think should be the attitude of the youths in this serious situation because it seems that many youths don’t even care and even go to the extent of exhibiting absolute apathy towards protesting and even social media awareness spreading ?

Well I believe we owe it to ourselves to fight for us. Many of us have parents who do not support youths fighting for themselves, some of us, had to argue for hours and keep malice with our parents before they let us protest, the reality is that we are protesting because they failed to protest well when they should have. So if we will not fight for ourselves, let us at least fight for our unborn kids. Some of you might be very rich, but for those of us who do not see ourselves escaping Nigeria anytime soon, we MUST struggle to make it better.

JOIN US ON TWITTER

Follow DAILY GIST on Twitter for more BREAKING NEWS

FOR ADVERTS, PUBLICATION AND PROMOTIONS, CONTACT DAILY GIST ON WHATSAPP – 09061956151

Share This News
Tags: FSARSHEADLINESSARS
Previous Post

Ending Incessant Rape Of Women In Nigeria

Next Post

INEC, Others Told To Stop Delegates During Primary Elections

Adam PR

Adam PR

AdamPR is a young Blogger, Publisher, Web Designer. For Adverts and Publications, He can be reached on WhatsApp - 07069173969

Related Posts

TRENDING VIDEO: Okada Riders In Cameroon Rain Curses On Tinubu For Removing Fuel Subsidy In Nigeria
NEWS

TRENDING VIDEO: Okada Riders In Cameroon Rain Curses On Tinubu For Removing Fuel Subsidy In Nigeria

June 7, 2023
BREAKING: Aregbesola Begs Oyetola For Forgiveness
POLITICS

BREAKING: Aregbesola Begs Oyetola For Forgiveness

June 7, 2023
BREAKING: President Tinubu Swears In SGF
NEWS

BREAKING: President Tinubu Swears In SGF

June 7, 2023
FULL LIST: INEC Approves Candidates For Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo Governorship Elections
NEWS

FULL LIST: INEC Approves Candidates For Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo Governorship Elections

June 7, 2023
Ifa Oracle Speaks On Fuel Subsidy Removal, Nigeria Future
NEWS

Ifa Oracle Speaks On Fuel Subsidy Removal, Nigeria Future

June 7, 2023
How I Would Have Removed Fuel Subsidy – Peter Obi Speaks
NEWS

How I Would Have Removed Fuel Subsidy – Peter Obi Speaks

June 7, 2023
Next Post

INEC, Others Told To Stop Delegates During Primary Elections

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

TRENDING NEWS

  • FOR THE RECORD: Top 10 Promises Tinubu Made In Inaugural Address

    BREAKING: President Tinubu Appoints NSA

    56757 shares
    Share 22703 Tweet 14189
  • BREAKING: Tinubu To Improve Minimum Wage

    31335 shares
    Share 12534 Tweet 7834
  • BREAKING: FG Asked To Increase Minimum Wage To N200,000

    25588 shares
    Share 10235 Tweet 6397
  • BREAKING: Tinubu To Replace Service Chiefs

    23707 shares
    Share 9483 Tweet 5927
  • BREAKING: Tinubu Confirms His Chief Of Staff, SGF

    23490 shares
    Share 9396 Tweet 5873
  • BREAKING: Tinubu Govt, TUC Agree On Minimum Wage Increment

    23085 shares
    Share 9234 Tweet 5771
  • JUST IN: Governor Akeredolu Indisposed — Ondo Govt Clarifies

    22821 shares
    Share 9128 Tweet 5705
  • BREAKING: Election Tribunals To Shut down Nationwide

    22457 shares
    Share 8983 Tweet 5614
  • BREAKING: Electricity Workers Declare Nationwide Strike

    22411 shares
    Share 8964 Tweet 5603
  • BREAKING: UI Professor Gunned Down In Ibadan

    22203 shares
    Share 8881 Tweet 5551

DAILY GIST reports Latest News in Nigeria and aims to keep Nigerians updated and informed with Reports and Informations in the aspect of Education, Politics, Health, Business, Technology, Jobs, Entertainment. etc

  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USAGE
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • DESIGNED BY ADAMPR

DAILY GIST © 2020 | All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • ARTICLES
  • NEWS
  • BUSINESS
  • EDUCATION
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HEALTH
  • POLITICS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CRIME
  • METRO
  • SPORTS
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USAGE
    • ADVERTISE WITH US

DAILY GIST © 2020 | All Rights Reserved