Hundreds of youth, under the auspices of Coalition of Youth Groups, on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Kano State in support of the newly created Police outfit, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to replace the disbanded Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).
Speaking when the youth arrived at the government house, National Coordinator of the group, Khalid Sanusi Kani, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the IGP for prompt response to the yearnings of the citizens on Police reform.
According to him, the youth decided to take to the streets to support the planned reform of the Nigerian Police force, calling on the IGP to tale practical steps to enforce the reform.
Kani also called on the IGP to ensure adequate funding of the force, as well as provision of all the needed equipment to enable it work according to the international policing standards.
The Coordinator also states that the youth in the state believes that SARS had help in reduction of criminal activities in the country, urging the IGP “to re-evaluate, restructure, rebrand and rebuild confidence in an efficient and effective anti-robbery tactical unit in the force.”
“It is equally pure prayers that adequate synergy between the Nigerian Police force and other security agencies be reestablished for prompt arrest of security challenges, such as kidnapping, insurgency, banditry and insecurity.
“The Nigerian youth in this connection, is firmly behind the timely measure not only because of the protests that occurred in the last few days, buy as a responsible institution charged with the duty of protecting life and properties of the citizens,” he said.
Kani also called on the protesters to quickly vacate the streets for peace to reign nationwide.
In his remarks, Governor Ganduje congratulates the youth for cooperating with the security to achieve peace in Kano.
He said youth in Kano had taken a positive stand which is not condemning totally the Police as an institution but to fish ouy the bad eggs among them.
The governor reminded that Nigeria cannot survive without the the police as such the nation should completely go against them.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari should be supported to achieve the reform of the Police and the IGP should work to make the reform quick one.
“Kano is fully behind reforming the system”, Ganduje assured.
