Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has called for the prosecution of bad eggs within the Police Force, especially those who do not adhere to professional ethics in discharging their duties, as the only way to protect the citizens and improve the image of the security outfit, stressing that ending the unit is not the right thing to do.
Hamzat made the call while addressing the “End SARS protesters” at Alausa, saying that the only way to stop the unjustified arrest of our youth just because of their looks or phones is for the police force to find those bad eggs indulging in such acts and prosecute them.
He noted that every decent Nigerian should be upset with the overzealous act of the security operatives, adding that such behaviour must stop henceforth, as it is clearly wrong for any law enforcement agent to maim or criminalise another Nigerian citizen without a reasonable cause.
The Deputy Governor remarked, “We are not against the Police fighting armed robbers but what we are saying is don’t unjustly hurt our children because of their looks. The police or law enforcement agencies must do their job. In doing that job, they cannot trample on the rights of other citizens, it is not just right”.
“You cannot arrest someone because of his look, or because somebody is carrying a computer. You cannot say someone is guilty because of his look or whatever he is carrying. Every decent Nigerian will be upset if a legitimate young man or woman doing his job is attacked and maimed for no just cause or reason”, he added.
Hamzat, however, said that calling for the end of the unit is not the best solution to end the menace, adding that security and enforcement units are important for protecting and providing security across the Nation, but what is required is for the Police to purge itself of the bad elements in the Force.
The Deputy Governor urged the protesters to allow for due process to take place, noting that FSARS cannot just be disbanded in view of the fact that “they must do their jobs for which they were created. This is not a kangaroo country, we are a country of process”.
He, therefore, advised the protesters to be peaceful in their protest without breaking the law, saying “Do not break the law or the property of government in the course of your protest because we will be hurting ourselves. Let us be orderly, let us be clear on what we are talking about. We also cannot block the road. What if there is an emergency situation and someone is being taken to the hospital”.
