By Tosin Olatokunbo
Few hours after Amnesty International disclosed that over 10 protesters were killed in the ongoing EndSARS protest across the country, former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the situation should not be allowed to get bloodier.
The former leader who is widely known for his respect for the sanctity of human lives, said that no life must be lost as youths protest against the brutality of Nigerian policemen entered another week.
The former president’s spoke amidst calls by other prominent leaders in the country on the federal government to end extra-judicial killing by men of the Police Force.
Jonathan said on his Facebook post on Tuesday that “No Nigerian blood needs to be spilled or life lost during a peaceful protest that seeks to advance our country.
We may hold different views on national issues, but there is no doubt that most people desire the same thing for Nigeria: a place where we can all live out the full potential of our God-given abilities. I implore everyone to exercise restraint as we walk through these challenging times.”
Amnesty said this in a tweet on Monday that “So far, Nigerian police have killed at least 10 people since the start of protests against callous operations of SARS.”
Policemen were reported to have shot and killed a protester in Ogbomosho, Oyo State apart from two other protesters that died in Surulere, Lagos amongst others.
Meanwhile, the presidential panel on the reform of the special anti-robbery squad, SARS has accepted the five-point demand of the #EndSARS protesters, according to Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman.
The presidential spokesman said the decision was reached after a meeting with civil society groups and the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC.
Adeesina said “Following the public protests regarding various forms of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the consequent disbandment of the unit by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, there arose the need for stakeholder engagement to build trust and restore public confidence in law enforcement.”
The decision, sources in Aso Rcok Presidential Villa, said was reached to pacify the angry youths who have been marching on major states’ capitals across the country for the seventh day.
The protesters’ demands include release of all persons arrested and justice for victims of police brutality.
Others are “setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days); psychological evaluation of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed, and increase in police salary so that they can be adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens”
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier said that the disbandment of the notorious police special unit is the beginning of his government’s efforts to totally overhaul the Nigerian Police Force.
