Order Immediate Release Of ENDSARS Protesters, Sports Minister Pleads With IGP

Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports, has appealed to Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to order the immediate of those arrested during the ‘ENDSARS’ protest.

Despite the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Nigerians have continued their protests against police brutality, calling for a total reform of the force.

However, in a letter addressed to Adamu on Tuesday, Dare, while noting that the Disbandment of the special unit of the Force was a right step, said the arrested protesters should not be punished for exercising their civic rights.

“It is our collective hope that the successor tactical unit to FSARS will be a Special Force that will be more disciplined, ethical and professional with a new code of conduct that will guide their civil engagement. I also thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the positive steps he has taken on this matter,” the letter reads.

“In the light of the above, I want to plead with the Inspector General of Police to go a step further by using your very good office to order immediate release of all youth who were arrested or apprehended for participating in peaceful protests. They should not be punished for exercising their democratic right.

“Reports reaching me personally and out there in the media reveal that a number of our youth are under arrests, while some continue to suffer harassments and threats to life for participating in the #EndSARS protest.

“In the new spirit of change, rapprochement and expected reforms that are sweeping through the entire Police Force, kindly use your good office to authorize a signal to be sent to all police formations and stations to free these youth and to stop the intimidation of those who participated in the protests in any form.”