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Demands punishment for human rights’ violators
BY VICTOR BUORO – Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has joined the growing number of critics already describing the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and its successor outfit, Special Weapons and Tactics [SWAT] as being one and the same evil.
He though government’s moves that sacked the infamous SARS is laudable, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammad Adamu, should however not be in any haste to foist another notorious body on Nigerians.
The governor said instead of being in a hurry to create a new outfit that could constitute another monster in future, the IGP should consult widely with Nigerians on what kind of police reform is most suitable and appropriate for citizens and the country.
Governor Tambuwal made the scathing comparison between SARS and SWAT while swearing-in the Chairman and members of the Sokoto State Independent National Electoral Commission (SOSIEC) in Government House, Sokoto on Wednesday.
According him, merely changing the name of SARs to SWAT is not the solution to the myriads of problems facing the country, noting that it is important for Mr President to approve the recruitment of more personnel into all Nigeria’s security outfits.
He also urged the Federal Government to provide more modern equipments, especially Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets and improved renumeration packages to the Nigeria Police
The governor said prior to its proscription, some of SARS’ activities were obviously against the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, even as he demanded that all perpetrators of those wrongdoings, who also gave the police institution a bad name, must be brought to book.
Tambuwal, who is the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, challenged President Buhari and the IGP on intensifying efforts at re-training all those that served in disbanded unit and redeploy them to address the challenges of insurgency, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, North-Central and the country in general.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, said the governor told the newly sworn-in Chairman and members of SOSIEC, that the selection and composition processes were based on their proven integrity and unblemished records of service.
He urged them to initiate the guidelines and timetable for conducting local council elections to enable the State government determine when and how to speedily handle the poll’s processes
The governor, while congratulating the Commission’s members on their appointments, urged them to uphold the trust reposed in them by being fair and just in the discharge of their duties.
The new SOSIEC officials include: Alhaji Aliyu Suleiman as Chairman and five other permanent members. On the list are: Muazu Garba Dundaye, Sidi Mukhtar Ibrahim, Abubakar Haliru Dange, Alhaji Musa Illela and Umar Galadima Durbawa.
