A non-governmental organisation, Gavela Civic Tech, has written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) demanding immediate investigation of the alleged atrocities committed by the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) arm of the Police in the country.
The organisation demanded a nationwide establishment of panel of inquiry in all NHRC offices to investigate the alleged human rights abuses and impunity.
The letter by Gavela is not unconnected with the variously promoted #EndSARS and #ReformPoliceNG movement which has been on for some time now, where people ranging from celebrities to teenagers have narrated their ordeal with the Special Anti-Robbery Unit and the police in general.
With so many people now perceiving the Nigeria Police as an enemy rather than friend, individuals like Segun Awosanya “segalink” and Abdul Mahmoud, the movements lead Counsel, together with millions of Nigerians stood out, demanding for reform in the Police force.
In the heat of the protests, the Police leadership announced some reforms in the structure of the SARS hierarchy which many believed did not make sufficient impact to quell the voices of dissent.
Gavela believes that EndSARS is an objective towards a total police reform and a universal institutional reform. It explained that Nigerians still cry out daily because of the extortion allegedly perpetrated by SARS personnel.
It affirmed that the NHRC is the body established to protect human rights in Nigeria as well as saddled with the responsibility to investigate human rights abuses and prosecute persons found wanting, hence the letter written to the Commission for action.