NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CALLS FOR RE-ORIENTATION OF SARS OFFICERS

Fundamental Human Right is guaranteed by the constitution to every citizen. But recently, there have been reports of various abuses of such rights by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

As part of activities to contain these abuses, the National Human Rights Commission held a public hearing on complaints against the Special Anti-robbery Squad at the Federal High Court, Enugu.

The National Human Rights Commission is the government Agency that looks into all abuses of people’s rights. To this end, it has received several complaints against the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police Force.

The Commissioner however commenced a three day public hearing on these complaints, in pursuance to section five sub section [J] and section six subsection (A) of the National Human Rights commission Amendment Act 2010 and Rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission.

Speaking during the hearing, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu commended the efforts of the police and governments and called on Federal Government to ensure the re-orientation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, to curb all forms of violations on the rights of people.

In a remark, the Zonal Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Enugu, Mrs. Uche Nwokocha said about twenty petitions had so far been received and a panel set up to look into the allegations leveled against the squad.

A senior Human Rights Adviser to the United Nations System in Nigeria, Mr. Martin Ejidike appreciated the efforts of the Commission, stating that the public hearing would help to address human rights violation and other degrading treatments allegedly meted to people by the officials of SARS.

Responding, the Commissioner of police, Mr. Dan Mallam who was represented by a Superintendent of Police, Enugu State Command, Mr Godwin Ilika assured citizens of a new SARS in the State. Mr Iliaka also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission to put in place, more sensitization programmes for officials and men of the force.

ANGELA EFFIONG