MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO PROBE SARS ACTIVITIES???
MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO PROBE SARS ACTIVITIES???
This
decision was the outcome of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by
Hon. Kingsley China and nine other lawmakers from Rivers state.
The House of
Representatives has mandated its joint committee on human rights, police
affairs and justice to investigate allegations of extrajudicial killings, acts
of harassment and torture against operatives of the federal special
anti-robbery squad (FSARS) in Rivers state and other parts of the country.
Leading
debate on the motion, Chinda noted that they were concerned about the several
complaints of extrajudicial killings and acts of torture on unarmed civilians
by operatives of the FSARS.
MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO PROBE SARS ACTIVITIES??? |
He said
victims of the acts alleged that FSARS operatives often armed with guns,
machetes and other dangerous weapons, axes and other dangerous weapons and
employ malevolent methods, including planting illicit drugs and other
incriminating items and objects on unsuspecting victims.
According to him, it was also alleged that the FSARS operatives also go
about with POS machine with which they coerce unsuspecting victims to make
money transfers in their favour.
He claimed
that “recently, an incident went viral of a SARS officer who was shot dead by
men of the Inspector General of Police team after an exchange of gunfire in
Port Harcourt.
Speaking
further, Chinda said recently, one Ajibade Ademisoye, a taxi driver that lived
on Rumuakunde community in Emohua local government area, Rivers state was
killed by men of FSARS and thereafter labelled as a cultist. He claimed there
were several other cases.
He drew the
attention of the House to a recent judgement delivered by Justice Adolphus
Enebeli of a Port Harcourt High Court, in which he awarded a cost of N50
million against five FSARS operatives who are currently standing trial for the
murder of Messrs Michael Akor and Micjael Igwe at Oyibo Rivers state.
‘Recalls
that on December 10, 2016, state and National Assembly re-run elections held in
Rivers state, and Mr. Akin Fakorede, the commander of FSARS in Rivers state, together
with some other FSARS operatives were seen/caught on camera openly
harassing/manhandling INEC officials at the Rivers East Senatorial District
collation centre, Moscow road, Port Harcourt on 12th December 2017. However, nothing was done, in spite
of several protests and demands for an investigation of the incident”
Chinda said he was worried that a security outfit as FSARS is being
turned into a violent terror contraption, whose victims are usually left
entirely at the mercy of the FSARS officers until they are able to bail
themselves.
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