EndSARS: Police To Control SARS Movement – As Nigerians Protest Against Squad – Rivers Seeks Fakorede’s Sack, Prosecution

Thousands of Rivers people on the platform of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) last Monday, took to the streets of Port Harcourt and its environs to protest the killings, kidnappings and electoral fraud perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state.
The protesters marched through the streets of Port Harcourt before terminating at the PDP headquarters where statements were made by leaders.
The protesters sang anti-SARS songs and displayed placards condemning SARS personnel for their devilish acts of lawlessness.
They also demanded the immediate sack and prosecution of the Rivers SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede.
Some of the placards read: “Sack Akin Fakorede Now”, “Stop Killings By SARS”, “President Buhari Call SARS To Order”, ‘End The Killings By SARS”, and “End SARS’ Brutality Now”
President-General of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Mr Bright Amaehwule berated the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for turning themselves into political criminals used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to perpetrate crime against Nigerians.
He said that the pro-SARS rally, which ran simultaneously in Port Harcourt, and organised by the APC, had confirmed that the brutality of SARS in the state was being sponsored by the party.
Amaehwule called for the immediate sack and prosecution of the Rivers SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede, who was captured on tape committing electoral fraud.
The GDI chieftain said Fakorede and his operatives must be held to account for their crimes against Rivers people.
He particularly lamented the three Ogoni youth killed by SARS operatives because they stopped SARS from engaging in pipeline vandalism.
In his remarks, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Engr Samuel Nwanosike regretted that the Police High Command had allowed SARS to degenerate into a deadly criminal gang.
He pointed out that SARS has become a security agency used by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to terrorise Rivers people and steal their mandate.
While re-affirming the call for the sack and prosecution of Fakorede, Nwanosike said Rivers people will never be intimidated by the criminally-minded security gang.
He said: “SARS as presently constituted is no longer a security outfit. It has been turned against the people; hence Nigerians from all walks of life want the outfit disbanded.
“In Rivers State, we demand the sack and prosecution of the Rivers SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede. He has committed crimes against our people. We will continue to resist the impunity of SARS. Rivers people will never be intimidated by a gang of criminals,” Nwanosike added.
Also speaking, the former chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Collins Onunwor said the people will not allow the use of SARS for the rigging of the 2019 General Elections.
It would be recalled that Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had drawn the attention of Nigerians to the crimes being perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The governor had in a press conference in Port Harcourt brought to public notice the Signal sent by the Inspector General of Police X Squad wherein SARS in Rivers State was indicted for kidnapping one Ifeanyi and demanding ransom from him.
The signal revealed that the SARS operatives later engaged the IGP X Squad in gun duel, leading to the death of a SARS operative.
Wike had requested the immediate transfer and prosecution of the Rivers SARS commander.
He also called for independent investigation of the activities of SARS in Rivers State.
But the IGP, however, declined both requests.
In response to the Inspector General of Police’s claim that he will reform SARS, Wike had advised Nigerians not to be deceived because the Police High Command had concluded plans to turn SARS into a deadly election rigging outfit in 2019.
Only recently, SARS operatives in company of the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaehi brazenly breached the security of Governor Nyesom Wike in the Trans Amadi area of Port Harcourt.
It was learnt that the SARS commander led the Amaechi’s security team during the incident that attracted national and global outrage.