Rivers State Government is to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate the brutality and human rights abuses of the disbanded Special...
Gov. Nyesom Wike made this known on Tuesday in Port Harcourt in a State-wide broadcast to the people of the State.
Rivers State Government is to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate the brutality and human rights abuses of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) in the State.
Gov. Nyesom Wike made this known on Tuesday in Port Harcourt in a State-wide broadcast to the people of the State.He said the State initially declined to set up another Panel of Inquiry as directed by the National Council of States but changed the
position because of new facts and evidences on ground.
“We were the first State in this country to expose the cruelties of SARS and challenged the Federal Government to rein in on this evil force but nothing happened. We went further to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry which indicted
operatives of the much dreaded SARS for acts of criminal misconduct, murder and gross human rights abuse.
“The findings and recommendations of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry were submitted to the relevant Federal Authorities, including the Police High Command, but nothing was done,” he said.
Wike also alleged: ” Instead of support, we were accused of playing politics and the Rotimi Amaechi-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) even organised a demonstration in support of the atrocities of SARS against the people.
“What is true is that, by God’s grace, Rivers State has in a long while been secure and peaceful under our watch as we continue to strive and deliver on our commitments to the people’’.
“Rivers State is peaceful and we cannot allow any misguided person or group to exploit the current situation to disturb the peace and
endanger our collective security.”
The Governor also announced that a reformed and disciplined Task force on Illegal Street Trading and Motor Parks would soon be set up to restore sanity to the streets.
He called on the people of the State to remain vigilant and ensure that they do not play into the hands of detractors.
Wike assured that his administration would not be distracted in her determination to defend the interest of the State and transform all parts with the available resources.
