The 36 states governors of the federation met yesterday under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to deliberate on concerns raised by #EndSARS protests in recent days.
The forum presided by its chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi reached some resolutions that include:
1. Suspension of SWAT:
All 36 state governors agreed that the formation of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) to replace the now-defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) was a good move in the right direction. However, they stressed that the unit was hastily created and could be “misinterpreted as a surreptitious move to dress FSARS in another garb”. They therefore called on the Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Adamu to convene a meeting of stakeholders and make wide consultations before unveiling the new unit.
2. Justice and Compensation for Victims:
The Governors were equivocal that police officers found wanting in the abuse of citizen’s right and extra-judicial killings should be fished out and prosecuted. They also agreed that Nigerians who have been adversely affected by police brutality or other actions that were injurious to them or their loved ones should be compensated, including the family of protesters who were attacked.
3. Review of Salaries for Police Officers:
Members of the forum acknowledged the need for Police officers to be well paid in order to ensure their commitment to professional and effective service delivery. Thus, the governors recommended that the IGP, the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Council should immediately review the Remuneration and Emoluments of police officers and explore ways funding the upward review.
4. Relationship Between the Force with State Governments and Civil Society:
The governors were equivocal of the need for the Force to forge stronger partnerships with State Governments as well as civil society to improve civil relations between the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Public.
5. Not Just #EndSARS:
Members of the forum agreed that the concerns of the public went beyond a need for Police/FSARS reforms and included a demand for better governance; They noted the need to engage, consult the public and make decisions that address the underpinning issues leading to the protests; Members noted that some States had already started the process of engaging protesters and urged all States to engage all stakeholders for a collectively agreed resolution;
