Cleric seeks executive order against police excesses

The Supreme Head, Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, Dr. Solomon Alao, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to issue an executive order outlawing police brutality and extortion in the country.

In a statement yesterday, the cleric urged other Nigerians to support the youths in their protest against police brutality to assuage their feelings.

The church leader also appealed to the protesting youths to be peaceful and avoid confrontation with security agencies to prevent loss of lives and properties.

Alao urged Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to not only disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) but also re-orientate its members before redeployment to another police unit.

While calling on Buhari to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate police brutality and extra-judicial killings, he said security operative found wanting should be made to face the law, as the only way to make them respect human rights, which is the mark of democracy.

His words: “Let’s commend our youths for their patriotic agitation against police brutality and extortion in Nigeria. I think the police need to be reformed and bad eggs in the system flushed out.

“If you travel from Ibadan to Ile-Ife, you will come across several roadblocks by the police, Customs and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) extorting commercial drivers. This is not good for the image of the country. Their activities made nonsense of Buhari’s anti-corruption stance.”