Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Monday said the state government would no
longer tolerate extortion and brutality on the people by police
personnel in the state.
Umahi, who made the announcement at the old-Government House complex
while addressing #EndSARS protesters, said that any form of roadblocks
would no longer be tolerated anywhere in the state.
The governor said that he would meet the state commissioner of police
and the commandant of the military cantonment for the immediate
enforcement of the order.
“We will only accept a situation where security personnel stay by the
roadside, stop and check any vehicle they suspect after which the person
goes.
“Resist any policeman who asks you for money and call me on the phone
because enough is enough,” he said.
He urged the protesters to be mature in their protests and to conduct
themselves peacefully, saying they had by their actions, achieved much
for themselves, the state, and the country.
“We will on Tuesday inaugurate a judicial panel of inquiry into police
brutality, extra-judicial killings, and other human rights violations.
“The panel will be headed by a high court judge and will consist of
representatives of protesters, youth groups, students’ union, human
rights group, state attorney general’s office among others.
“They will receive and investigate complaints of human rights abuses,
evaluate the evidence presented, draw conclusions on the validity of the
claims, recommend compensations and other remedial measures.
“We will also set up a victim’s support fund to compensate families
affected by police brutality and other human rights violations while
setting up a trust fund, under my watch, to pay the compensations,” he
said.
Umahi promised to join the protesters in their ‘candlelight’ procession
for victims of police brutality on Monday night and also in their
protest march on Tuesday.
“I am directing all tertiary institutions to resume academic activities
on Oct. 21, and any lecturer who fails to turn up will be sacked,” he
said.
The protesters, who insisted they did not have a leader, finally allowed
Mr Stephen Ugamah to speak on their behalf.
Ugama listed their demands to include: an investigation of activities of
SARS in Ebonyi, police brutality, compensation for victims of SARS and
police brutality, and immediate release of all those detained by the
police over the protests.
“We also want the harassment and extortion of Ekeaba police station
investigated, activities of the local government area tax collectors
among others,” he said. (NAN)