EndSARS panel indicts 10 police officers in Gombe
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
No fewer than 18 petitions bordering on victimization was received by commission of inquiry into human rights violations by the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and other Nigeria police units.
Speaking during the presentation of the committee’s findings to Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, panel’s chairman, Justice Sa’adu Mohammed (rtd), revealed that the panel worked in line with 8 terms of reference establishing it.
Recall that the governor upon inaugurating the committee of inquiry urged them to make submission in the next 6 months.
The chairman noted that the committee made 13 recommendations for consideration by the governor, adding that compensation should be paid to victims following harassment by 10 police officers in the state.
Mohammed said, “The Commission invited for petitions from those concerned; we considered these petitions and conducted public hearings, after which we deliberated and came up with our findings and made 13 main recommendations.
“In particular, we made recommendations regarding 10 members of the Nigeria police; compensations to be paid to victims; measures to prevent future violations of human rights by the security agencies. We wish to point out that as at the of the hearing none of the petitioners was in detention.
“We found the admonition by your Excellency that care should be taken ‘not to throw away the baby with the bath water ‘ apt. It is clear that security agencies operate within our own environment; members of the public clearly contribute to the occurrence of these violations.”
Also Governor Yahaya, lauded the efforts of the committee in ensuring justice was meted.
He lamented the dwindling lack of trust saying that it was contributory to the manner of violence.
“We need to build trust as well as the believe that humanity is one and we the people are one and answerable to someone.
“Those that come here to manage or supervise the police are not our own, the Majority. It is we as a people that needs to provide the necessary guidance and support for those ahead of us,” Yahaya said.
