Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has apologised to Nigerians, faulting the Federal Government for not moving faster in addressing the demands of Nigerians calling for a total ban of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police.
Osinbajo, in a series of tweets on Friday night, said he knows many Nigerians are angry, and that their anger was justified.
The protest against police brutality has gained global traction after a rigorous campaign on social media.
While the disbandment of the police unit has been achieved, some other demands of the protesters have not been fully met.
These include the prosecution of killer cops, the release of all protesters in detention and the
Osinbajo said he understands the feeling of many young people in the country, noting that many feel that the government has been too silent and has simply not done enough, adding that the feelings of frustration are justified.
He noted that far too many people have been brutalized by the police, saying that this is unacceptable.
The VP said that it was the responsibility of the government to protect young people, even from those who are paid to protect them.
The Vice President noted that the nationwide protests goes beyond agitations about SARS, adding that the government has undertaken comprehensive measures that will revamp the police by addressing issues of welfare, service conditions, and training.
“I fully understand how many young people feel. Many feel that we have been too silent and have simply not done enough.These feelings of frustration are justified. There are far too many people who have been brutalised at the hands of the police and this is unacceptable. We must take responsibility for protecting young people, even sometimes from those who are paid to protect them.”
He said several meetings have been held between President Muhammadu Buhari, top officials of the National Assembly, police authorities and the human rights commission in order to salvage the situation.
“Over the past week, we have been following the protests, and I have had a number of discussions with key people in the administration that you deserve to be informed about. Transparency, after all, is a key tenet of government.
He, however, condoled with the families of Jimoh Isiaq and all those who have lost their lives at the hands of the “wayward” police officers.
“We have proposed that each state government set up a Victims’ Support Fund, which the federal government will support. This is the least that we can do to compensate for the injustice suffered at the hands of errant officers,” he announced.
The vice president acknowledged that the issues being raised are bigger than SARS.
“They’re deep and systemic and we’re undertaking comprehensive measures that will revamp the police by addressing issues of welfare, service conditions and training,” he promised.
