By Chukwujama Augustina
ONITSHA — Youths in Anambra state, Monday, took to the streets of Onitsha to stage a peaceful march in solidarity with the #EndSARS protests rocking the country.
The youth disregarded the statement of the Anambra youth wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, which, on Sunday, called for a cancellation of the planned protest.
The Ohaneze youth wing said its decision followed the announcement of the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed.
In a statement signed by Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, leader Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing, Anambra state, the group said the high-handedness and unprofessional manner with which many SARS officers operate leaves a lot to be desired.
“Igbo youths had our share of the unsavoury experience; hence, the reason of the peaceful #EndSARSBRUTALITY and #REFORMNIGERIAPOLICE protest in Awka, Anambra state, on the 10th of October, 2020,” he said.
Okpalaezeukwu said the Saturday protest in Awka was detailed in planning, mature in execution, and it went within the ambit of the law.
“With every sense of responsibility, I announce to Igbo youths in Anambra that the Onitsha #ENDSARSBRUTALITY & # REFORMNIGERIAPOLICE protest scheduled to hold on Monday, 12th October, 2020, is hereby called off. The announcement of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, dissolving SARS across all formations in the country makes the protest unnecessary,” he said.
But the youths of the state, made up mainly of businessmen, bloggers, media presenters, career men and women, humanitarian foundations and individual associations, ignored Okpalaezeukwu’s directive, and went out enmasse for the protest.
The youths gathered at CMS roundabout, from where they marched round major streets in the town, before proceeding to Central Police Station, Onitsha.
One of the protesters, who withheld his name, said that disbanding SARS is not enough. She said the youths were also demanding immediate release of all arrested protesters across the country, and justice for all deceased victims of police brutality, and appropriate compensation for their families. They also demanded setting up of independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all police misconduct.
Other demands by the youths include: Psychological evaluation of the police, especially members of the defunct SARS; as well as re-training and re-orientation of all former SARS officers before re-integrating them into other units of the police force. They demanded that such psychological evaluation of ex-SARS officers must be carried out by independent body; even as they canvassed for increased pay for all police officers in the country.
A similar protest was held simultaneously in Umuahia, capital of Abia state, by youths of the state. They visited the police headquarters on Bende Road and Abịa State House of Assembly; as well as the Abia Government House.
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