As the protests calling for the scrapping of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were underway, a Niger Delta activist His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe said that he was with the youths of the country and had condemned alleged killing of innocent Nigerians protesting against police brutality.
In a statement, the activist who is also the Coordinator of the South-South Elders Forum said: “I stand with the Nigerian youths and indeed all those who are calling for an end to SARS in whatever form and disguise, and justice for all the victims of police brutality, kidnapping and extortion in Nigeria and a call on government for the reformation of the Nigerian police.”
The activist, a former spokesman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said that the International Criminal Court (ICC) should hold accountable governor of Lagos State, the Commander of Nigerian Army, Chief of Army Staff and the President for allegedly using the military to kill innocent Nigerians at Lekki Toll Gate who protested against “the murderous activities of SARS, Police brutality, extortion and corruption in Nigeria.”
He said the action of the government was contrary to the African Charter and United Nations Charter on Human Rights, saying that it should be a test case for the International Criminal Court.
He described the alleged military action against the protesters as a genocide and “sin against humanity”.
The activist also called on Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union, European Union, United Kingdom, the United States of America and United Nations to intervene in the situation in the country and also challenged the Nigerian Bar Association to press for a charge of genocide and human rights abuse against the country at the International Criminal Court.
Massive protests had held in different cities across Nigeria that asked for reforms in the Police and an end to SARS. The protests which took place in October turned tragic when the country’s military allegedly opened fire at innocent protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
The protests had also held in Port-Harcourt with a large number of youths turning up.
Some of the protesters had carried placards with the inscriptions “Police is extorting youths,” “Restructure Nigeria”, “We are the leaders of today”, “EndSARS” and “End Bad Government”.
Some of the protesters who spoke said that they were protesting against police brutality in the country and had asked for change.
The protests paralyzed activities in most parts of the city and halted traffic.
President Muhammadu Buhari who addressed protesters when he made a televised speech had appealed to them to remain calm saying that the government had taken note of their demands.
