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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has promised “extensive” reforms amid protests against police brutality.
He also promised justice for victims of police abuse and an investigation into the death of a protester in Oyo state.
Protesters have long called for the Special Anti-Theft Squad (Sars) to be disbanded.
But they remain unhappy after Sunday’s announcement that officers are being reassigned to other units instead of being disciplined.
In his video address on Monday, President Buhari said that the dissolution of the Sars was “only the first step” in a series of reforms, but added that the police officers were workers and that the reputation of the force should not be seen. tarnished by “a few eggs”.
Over the weekend, protests against Sars spread to Europe and Canada following reports of illegal arrests, torture and shootings.
The demonstrations have entered their fourth day with reports of protesters blocking a main road in the commercial center of Lagos and others gathering near the city’s main airport.
In a statement, Nigerian Police Chief Mohammed Adamu said the abuse allegations would be investigated by a committee that includes members of civil society.
However, many are concerned that suspected criminals will continue to serve in the force, and it is unclear if any officers will be prosecuted for past abuses.
Skeptics also point to the fact that this is the fourth time in as many years that promises have been made to dissolve or reform Sars.
After Sunday’s announcement that the police unit would be disbanded, there were reports of officers continuing to use tear gas, water cannons and live ammunition against protesters in the capital Abuja and the southwestern state of Oyo. raising concerns that the people in Sar had not been removed from duty.
It wasn’t until musician Davido joined the protests in Abuja that the police stopped arresting protesters.
Source: BBC
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