From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Thousands of Rivers State residents, on the platform of the Grassroots Development Initiative, yesterday, took to the streets to protest the alleged 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 alleged acts of lawlessness. They also demanded the immediate sack and prosecution of 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, Bright Amaehwule, berated SARS operatives for allegedly turning themselves into political criminals used by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to perpetrate crime against Nigerians.
He said the pro-SARS rally in Port Harcourt by the APC yesterday, confirmed that the brutality of SARS in the state was sponsored by the party.
Amaehwule called for the immediate sack and prosecution of Fakorede.
He said SARS operatives must be held to account for misdeeds against Rivers people, while particularly lamenting the killing of three Ogoni youths because they stopped the operatives from engaging in pipeline vandalism.
In his remarks, the Publicity Secretary of Rivers PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, regretted that the police authorities allowed SARS to degenerate into an alleged criminal gang.
He pointed out that SARS has become a security agency used by APC to terrorise Rivers people and steal their mandate.
While re-affirming the call for the sack and prosecution of Commander, Nwanosike said Rivers people would never be intimidated by the group.
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. We will continue to resist the impunity of SARS. Rivers people will never be intimidated by a gang of criminals.”
Former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Mr Collins Onunwo, said the people would not allow the use of SARS for the rigging of the 2019 election.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, drew the attention of Nigerians to alleged crimes being perpetrated by SARS.
Governor 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.
In response to the Inspector General of Police promised to reform SARS.