[NEWS EDUCATION] Nigerian President Opposes Police Repression Of Protesters With Promises To Reform Police

Demonstration against police repression in Nigeria (Twitter / @ jidensawoolu)

JAKARTA - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari promised to reform the police institution in his country. The promise was made regarding the repression carried out by the police against the protesters.

[* Previously the above paragraph read: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari took part in a demonstration against police repressive action against protesters. He also promised to reform the police institution in his country.]

Reported by Reuters, Tuesday, October 13, acts of violence by members of the Nigerian police began to appear to the public after a picture of a protester who died was uploaded to social media. Suddenly, this provoked people to take to the streets demanding that the police institution be reformed since last week.

The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people. pic.twitter.com/XjQMSr3jlm

- Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 12, 2020

The actions carried out by Nigerians were met with repressive actions by members of the police. In fact, many of the residents said police officers used live ammunition to disperse protesters in the Surulere district, Lagos.

Due to this incident, Buhari promised the Nigerian people that the police would reform as soon as possible. “Genuine concern and anxiety by the Nigerian people about the excessive use of force. And in some cases the extrajudicial killings and misconduct of people from the Nigerian Police. "

I joined the #ENDSARS protesters in Alausa and received a letter of their demands and once again I reiterated my support. I am now on my way to Abuja to meet with HE Pres. @MBuhari and the goal of the conversation is clear. Tangible next steps to #EndPoliceBrutality. pic.twitter.com/UPhyvO4hWQ

- Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 13, 2020

Buhari also added that the police officers who carried out violence were the rotten bay that tore the whole of Nigeria. It is not enough to provide information, Buhari, through his aide, Tolu Ogunlesi, also believes the Nigerians that the shooters will be tried as fairly as possible.

"There is no reason to shoot anything at peaceful protesters. The authorities must find the shooters and put them before trial," Ogunlesi tweeted.

Earlier, on Sunday, October 11, the authorities announced that they would disband the anti-robbery special forces unit, known as SARS. According to the government, SARS was the most problematic unit because it was alleged to be the unit that often beat and blackmailed Nigerians.

However, local human rights groups do not believe that the government can carry out reform and dissolution of SARS. Because, the same promise has been echoed since years ago. Unfortunately, no concrete action has been taken to date.

“We don't fall for the same lies. We need a schedule for when they will hand over their badges, weapons and uniforms, ”said one human rights group, Akunna Nwaogwugwu.