After one week of keeping mum on the #ENDSARS protests ongoing in many states of the nation, the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has decided to beg youths and Nigerians generally on the Buhari-led administration’s slow response to many national issues including #ENDSARS.
Taking to social media some few hours ago, the Vice President apologized for the late response to pressing national issue like #ENDSARS with a promise to make amends and compensate victims of police brutality.
Currently, his handle on Instagram has the comment sections brimming with angry responses from Nigerians especially the youths.
Osinbajo wrote:
“Dear Nigerians,
I know that many of you are angry, and understandably so. We
could’ve moved faster and for this we are sorry.
I fully understand how many young people feel. Many feel that
we have been too silent and have simply not done enough.
These feelings of frustration are justified.
There are far too many people who have been brutalised at the
hands of the police and this is unacceptable. We must take responsibility for
protecting young people, even sometimes from those who are paid to protect them.
Over the past week, we have been following the protests, and
I have had a number of discussions with key people in the administration that
you deserve to be informed about. Transparency, after all, is a key tenet of
government.
Several meetings have been held with: the Senate President
Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Speaker of the House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila,
the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of the Police
Service Commission, the IG of the Nigerian Police (IGP), the Executive
Secretary of National Human Rights Commision Nigeria, and governors.
We understand that you want to see action from us and I’m
here to tell you that work is ongoing. I chaired a meeting of 36 state
governors and the Minister of the FCT (NEC), where we resolved to set up judicial
panels of inquiry so we can see justice served, and fast.
The reason being that only state governors, by law, can set
up judicial inquiries in their states. The hearings will be public.
With Mr. President’s
approval, SARS has been completely disestablished, and none of its former
members will feature in any police tactical units.
I am sending my deepest condolences to the families of Jimoh
Isiaq, and all those who have lost their lives at the hands of wayward police
officers. To those injured, I wish a full and speedy recovery.
We have proposed that each state government sets up a
Victims’ Support Fund, which the Nigerian Government will support. This is the
least that we can do to compensate for the injustice suffered at the hands of
errant officers.
We also understand that the issues that you’re raising are
bigger than just SARS. They’re deep and systemic and we’re undertaking
comprehensive measures that will revamp the police by addressing issues of
welfare, service conditions and training.
On Monday, Mr. President also reiterated his commitment to
these extensive police reforms.
We will continue to update and engage with you all on these action steps and the ones to come, in the spirit of transparency, so that you can hold us accountable. We are, after all, here to serve you and we owe you a duty to win back your trust.
Keep safe. God bless you.”