19th
October, 2020
PRESS RELEASE:
#ENDSARS: MURIC REVEALS MORE
FACTS
Participants in the #EndSARS protests have been reminded that some
SARS operatives have contributed immensely to the war against criminality over
the years. Closer attention should also be paid to other police departments if
the excesses of the police is going to be curbed. However, the good ones among
the police should consider the ongoing protests with its attendant travails as
a trial from Allah and a confirmation of His divine warning.
This was the submission of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in a
press statement signed by its Director and Founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola,
on Monday, 19th October, 2020.
The statement reads:
“We remind #EndSARS protesting
youth that not all SARS operatives are callous and vicious. Among them also are
officers who have principle and who devote their whole life to the pursuance of
criminals and the protection of innocent Nigerians at the risk of their own
lives. They stay awake all night so that Nigerians can sleep in peace. No sane
Nigerian can deny this.
“Among such SARS officers is Abba Kyari, the renowned super cop who
has cracked several hard cases and in whose hands many hardened criminals have
met their Waterloo. It is our considered opinion that generalisation will not
be fair to such officers who have served Nigeria well. The reform of the
Nigerian Police which is being contemplated should take note of such gallant
officers.
“To all serving policemen
and women, especially those who have consistently exhibited uncommon gallantry,
chivalry, sacrifice and courtesy we rise above the angry crowd to appreciate
you today. Do not be sad or despondent. Do not say ‘Why are my people doing
this to me despite all my sacrifices?’ Accept what is going on as the will of
Allah.
“Almighty Allah predicted it in the Glorious Qur’an, ‘Fear a tumult
that will not only affect the culprits among you but it will affect the
innocent as well…’ (Qur’an 8:25). The sin of a few is being visited on all. But
you must accept it solemnly with faith. Allah is still coming to vindicate you
at the end of the day.
“MURIC calls the attention
of the Inspector General of Police to the need to permanently remove all
roadblocks and to stop policemen from checking vehicle particulars henceforth.
Instructions to this effect have been issued a hundred times by the police leadership
but they were never adhered to. We note with special interest that there has
been no single roadblock or police checks of vehicle particulars since the
commencement of #EndSARS protests particularly in zones affected by the
protests.
“The roadblocks and
checkpoints have not been used to serve the original purpose. More often than
not, innocent motorists are tormented there. It is not commercial vehicles or
young Nigerians alone but also responsible and elderly people. Almost every
vehicle that passes is stopped. Or how do you explain a situation whereby about
six or more vehicles are parked at police checkpoints with the owners begging
desperately?
“‘Where are your particulars’ have come to mean
‘Where are your party kolas?’ It happened to all of us. The police have created the
impression of a Gestapo disposition. This must stop. Roadblocks and checkpoints
must not come back again. If they do, the people must rise against it. It is
the worst form of police oppression anyone can think of.
“What MURIC will
not support is the extension of #EndSARS to other grievances. #EndSARS must not
be politicised. It is tantamount to hijacking a cause and diverting the
people’s sentiment to a narrow and selfish objective. Napoleon was indeed right
when he said, ‘Men are led by toys’.
“In Cairo, no police
checkpoints are mounted to stop and check vehicles. But every street has a
policeman patrolling it with a walkie-talkie. Every road has a patrol car with
two policemen watching. Only suspects are flagged down in the United States. Policemen only
sit in their patrol vehicles by the roadside on highways.
“The world is
moving fast and Nigeria must not be caught napping. Instead of wasting police
manpower and the citizens’ manhour at roadblocks and checkpoints, it is high
time we digitalised all registered vehicles. Those whose particulars expire
will be notified by email and text messages. It is only those who fail to
comply that will be penalised. The Nigeria Police must up its game. Ditto for
the licencing authorities. We cannot afford to remain pedestrian in a jet age.
“A look at our major points before we round off: we doff our hats
to SARS heroes like Abba Kyari; we appeal to righteous policemen to accept the
ongoing tribulation with philosophical equanimity; we call on police reform
panels to note the gallant ones among the police for adequate compensation;
police roadblocks and checkpoints must not come back again and, finally, we
call for the digitalization of vehicle particulars in conformity with global
standards.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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