The Communiqué of Nigerian Governors Forum’s Meeting on #EndSARS Protest

As protests continue following Nigerian Police’s attempt to replace the disbanded SARS with SWAT, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) held a meeting in an attempt to bring calm to the country and relax the ongoing tension.

In a meeting held by the NGF on Wednesday, graced by the embattled Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the Forum came up with suggestions that they believe could stem the tide of demonstrations. The communiqué issued by the governors, among other things, criticized IGP’s attempt to set up SWAT soon after SARS was disbanded.

The Governors agreed that the 36 States and FCT will set up a panel for compensation for victims of SARS brutality and urged the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Council to immediately review the Remuneration and Emoluments of police officers.

The communiqué as signed by the Chairman of the NGF, Kayode Fayemi reads as follows:

We, members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, 14th October 2020, deliberated on a number of issues affecting the country particularly the nationwide protests, riots and demonstrations against the activities of officials of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Nigerian Police.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) A.M Adamu, NPM, mni briefed the Forum on protests against SARS which technically started since 2017. This would be the first time that the Government is disbanding the unit. Following its dissolution, a new, strictly intelligence driven Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, will be constituted, to carry out tactical operations across the 36 States of the Federation and FCT.

The IGP informed the Forum that after a psychological and medical evaluation, SWAT Officers will be trained and posted to all State Commands – about 50 per State, where they will operate only on intelligence-driven operation. They will not take part in routine operations but will operate specifically on intelligence after which they will return to their Commands.

The IGP assured Governors that he will leverage the provisions of the new Police Act 2020 to carry out extensive reforms.

In response, the Forum acknowledged the concerns of many Nigerians especially youths that have been affected by the excess of some officials of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Nigerian Police. This notwithstanding, Forum members noted the efforts of officials of FSARS in their States, as they have greatly assisted in containing the increasing spate of kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, and other high end crimes particularly in the Northern States, where containing these criminal activities would have otherwise been very challenging. Members therefore expressed concern about the sweeping decision to scrap FSARS even while acknowledging the need to address its excesses.

After deliberation and extensive discussions, members resolved as follows:

Governors were unanimous in their support for the IGP and endorsed his plan to carry out far-reaching reforms geared towards greater effectiveness, accountability and transparency: Members called for increased regularity in the meetings of the Nigeria Police Council in order for it to effectively carry out its regulatory and supervisory roles as contained in the Nigerian Constitution.

On the IGP’s plan to create SWAT, Governors stated that even though the effort might be necessary and in good faith, they argued that the timing is inauspicious as the mood of the nation negates it and may understandably be misinterpreted as a surreptitious move to dress FSARS in another garb;

Governors agreed that there was need for greater consultation with the public before any decision is taken; Governor advised the IGP to immediately convene a meeting of all stakeholders and agree on a format of engagement with all State officials in order to address concerns; and that State leadership should meet simultaneously nationwide, to address matters arising;

Governors emphasized that reforms must include the training and retraining of operatives on the rules of engagement with the general public; policing in Nigeria must ensure freedom for all Nigerians to carry out their lawful and legitimate businesses anywhere in the country without fear of harassment, intimidation or molestation;

Governors advised that throughout the reform process, the room for consultation may include sessions and direct feedback from the public, stressing that there is no single solution that applies to all the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal capital Territory;

Governors were unequivocal that all police officers who participated in the abuse or actions that might have led to injury or the death of innocent citizens must be fished out and brought to book while other Nigerians who have been adversely affected by police brutality or other actions that were injurious to them or their loved ones, should be compensated;

Each State is to set up a panel for compensation to all victims and see to it that the necessary compensation is made to those who deserve them. This must be systematically done to ensure that nobody deserves to be compensated, is left out;

The Forum directed its Secretariat to work with the police authority to develop a framework for setting up a panel of enquiry across all States to determine claims and compensation; Governors are aware that some States have already started engaging protesters and urged all States that have not commenced same to invite all stakeholder in the matter to resolve these issues;

Members also recommended that the IGP, the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Council should immediately review the Remuneration and Emoluments of police officers and explore ways to fund this in order to incentivize and motivate police officers who have pledged themselves in service of the country;

Governors enjoin the IGP to be ready to forge stronger partnerships with State governments and the civil society to improve civil relations between the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Public;

Members also agreed that the concerns of the public went beyond a need a need for Police/FSARS reforms and included a demand for better governance: they noted the need to engage, consult the public and take decisions that address the underpinning issues leading to the protests; members noted that some States had already started the process of engaging protesters and urged all States to engage all stakeholders for a collectively agreed resolution;

Finally, Members praised Mr. President who has acknowledged that the protests and demonstrations reflect genuine concerns of many Nigerians and urged for a speedy implementation of all the agreed points.