Rivers state youths protest against SARS in Port Harcourt

Hundreds of youths in Rivers State yesterday protested human rights abuses and other activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the state police command.

The youths under the aegis of the Niger Delta Non-Violence Youth Leaders Assembly (NDNYLA) who matched through the streets of Port Harcourt said reported cases of human rights violations against the SARS should compel the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to investigate its activities.

Coordinator of the group, Omachi Chinasa, told journalists that it was regrettable that the SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede, was incapable of controlling the officers and operatives under him.

“We want to state that the SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede is incapable of handling his men. We are being humiliated and our people are being killed. Our women have been raped and at the end of the day, they say it is our people that raped them, but it is SARS people that are raping our people.

“They also go with different kinds of drugs and go to search people’s houses and at the end of the day, they plant the drugs in people’s houses. They plant those exhibits and arrest the people and at the end of the day, you bail yourself with hundreds of thousands of Naira. We will no longer allow it,” he said.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari and Idris to help the residents of the state who have become victims of constant harassment.

Also, Okocha Njobuanwu, implored Idris to set up a committee to investigate the activities of SARS operatives in the state in order to ascertain the veracity of the allegations against the team.

“We are here today to register our displeasure with the activities of SARS in Rivers State. We are not against the Nigeria Police and we are not against security agents. What we are saying us that we have series of complains against SARS.

“Governor Nyesom Wike had also made some allegations against SARS. We expect the Nigeria Police, the IGP and the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State to set up a unit to investigate the allegations,” he said.