A probe panel established by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that investigated the activities of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), has recommended the dismissal of 25 officers of the squad for their roles in the violation of the rights of some Nigerians.
The panel also recommended payment of compensation to 39 petitioners amounting to N438.88m for extra-judicial killings and 7 others for enforced disappearance.
Recall that the panel was inaugurated on October 21, 2020 after youths across the federation staged protest against rights violations by personnel of the defunct Police outfit.
Hilary Ogbonna, Secretary of the panel, Hilary Ogbonna, while presenting the report to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday in Abuja, said 28 police personnel were recommended for prosecution following their indictment in cases of police brutality.
Ogbonna said 25 police personnel were recommended for dismissal; four for reduction of ranks; and 15 others for disciplinary actions.
“Out of 295 petitions decided upon, 95 were fully decided; 54 cases were withdrawn because the victims decided to leave the issue to God; while some said they were threatened by the police to withdraw the cases.
“Amongst all petitions submitted to the panel, 71 bothered on cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by the police officers; 64 on violation of rights to life; 38 on unlawful arrest and detentions; 55 on non-payment of judgment sum,” he said.
According to Ogbonna North-Central has 60 percent; North-East, 1.6; South-West, 9; South-South, 15.5; South-East, 11 and North-West, 2.9.
In a remark, chairman of the panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima, said the panel had sat for two years, and hoped the Federal Government would urgently look at the report and the recommendations with a view to implement them.
While receiving the report, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Anthony Ojukwu, (Senior Advocate of Nigeria,(SAN) said that the Federal Government would implement the recommendations of the panel to the latter.
Ojukwu, thanked the panel members for working along the terms of reference of the government.
“Apart from implementing the EndSARS report, other units of the Nigerian police would be held accountable for their roles in the abuses of fundamental rights of the Nigerian citizens,” he said.
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