President Buhari has chided Nigerian citizens for misconstruing his swift disbandment of police unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as a sign of weakness.
The President made this known during a live broadcast on Thursday evening as he addressed Nigerian citizens following the state of unrest in the nation.
It would be noted that Nigerian youths embarked on protests across different parts of the country to demand an end to police brutality and extra-judicial killings.
Reacting to the protest, Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu scrapped SARS and announced Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) as a replacement for the police unit.
“As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.
“On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.
“Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.
“The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.”
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