#EndSARS: Wike Prohibits Protest Against Police Brutality

Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike, on Monday banned residents of the state from embarking on campaigns agitating for the proscription of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigeria police force.

There have been protests across major cities in the country, especially in the southern part, since last week over reports of brutality, harassment and extrajudicial killings by SARS operatives.

Consequently, the inspector-general of police (IGP),  Mohammed Adamu, issued a directive on Sunday, dissolving the unit.

But the move didn’t keep protesters away from the street as they say the IGP pronouncement amount to nothing because such has been made in the past without any result.

The insisted that more decisive actions and concrete steps must be taken on proscribing SARS. .

However, in a statement issued on Monday night by commissioner for information and communications, Paulinus Nsirim, Wike enjoined Rivers residents to desist from embarking on #EndSARS protests.

According to the governor, there was no need for further protests since the SARS unit has been scrapped by the IGP.

“The Rivers State Government hereby [wishes] to inform the general public that all forms of protests have been banned throughout the State,” the statement read.

“Therefore, all proposed protests under #EndSARS Campaign are hereby prohibited.

“Government took this decision because the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had already scrapped the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Therefore, there is no need for any form of protest against a Unit of the Police Force that no longer exists.

“Parents and Guardians are therefore advised to ensure that their children or wards do not violate this order.

“Law enforcement agencies are also directed to ensure that the ban is enforced and that violators are brought to book.”