“Government will not tolerate in any way the brutalization of Nigerians or the violation of their rights. Any officer of the law enforcement agencies or any other government functionary caught in this act will certainly be visited with the full weight of the law,” Buhari said.
President Muhammadu Buhari says the Nigerian government will not tolerate the brutalisation of its citizens in any way.
He stated this on Wednesday, in response to the killing of Kolade Johnson, a young man who died from gunshot injuries sustained after policemen opened fire on residents at Onipetesi area of Lagos State.
Ogunyemi Olalekan and Godwin Orji, two policemen attached to the Anti Cultism Unit of the Force, are currently under investigation for the killing of Johnson.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), noted that the president regretted the unfortunate incident, and expressed the determination of the present administration to bring the culprits to book.
Buhari also acknowledged the “genuine outrage” regarding the activities of SARS and reassured the public that swift actions have already been taken, noting that the officers found culpable would be prosecuted.
“Government will not tolerate in any way the brutalization of Nigerians or the violation of their rights. Any officer of the law enforcement agencies or any other government functionary caught in this act will certainly be visited with the full weight of the law,” Buhari said.
In 2018, the Presidency had ordered an overhaul of the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The President, however, noted that “a lot more remains to be done and this effort must be sustained”.
He reassured Nigerians that this administration would “continue to ensure that all officers in the Police and other law enforcement agencies conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.”