Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has activated the process of getting justice for the victims of brutality and extra-judicial actions committed by some operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) – the dissolved tactical unit in the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu,, said the State Government will be setting up a panel of enquiry that will comprise youth leaders appointed by EndSARS protesters, members of the public, Government officials and security agencies to look into the allegations of human rights abuses levelled against SARS operatives in the State.
The objective of the panel, the Governor said, is to bring indicted police officers to book and get justice for victims killed and maimed by SARS operatives.
Besides, Governor Sanwo-Olu also set up a Trust Fund to compensate the families of the victims of police brutality in the State and the process of managing and disbursing the funds will be completely supervised by Civil Society Organisation (CSO) appointed by members of the public.
Governor made the development known while addressing the youth protesting against SARS’ excessiveness at the State House in Alausa.
The protesters were led by Nollywood actors, music artistes, and comedians, among whom included Debo Adebayo, popularly known as MC Macaroni, and Oluwatoyin Bayegun, known as Woli Arole.
It was the second time in two days Sanwo-Olu would be meeting face-to-face with youths leading EndSARS campaign across the State. Yesterday, the Governor was at the Lekki Toll Plaza where protesters camped and blocked the expressway to air their agitations.
Sanwo-Olu reiterated that he identified with the protesters in their campaign against police brutality.
He, however, pleaded with the aggrieved youths not to undermine the legitimacy of their grievances by being violent and destructive.
The protesters at Alausa handed a communique to the Governor, which detailed their five-point demands and expectations from the leadership.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State Government will be addressing three of the protesters’ demands that are within the purview of the State and vowed to engage the President and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the remaining demands.
The Governor said he would continue to engage the Federal Government to initiate reforms that will bring about the police force that will protect and respect the rights of the citizens.
He said the State Government had commenced investigation into the matter, but pleaded with the protesters not to take the laws into their own hands.
Sanwo-Olu assured the demonstrators that he would be leaving the protest ground for Abuja to meet with President Buhari and the IGP as he had promised.
Sanwo-Olu, again, demonstrated his support for the EndSARS campaigners. He carried a placard and marched on the road with the protesters.
