The Board of Trustees of the Police Trust Fund (PTF) on Friday, October 16, issued a mandate to the Inspector-General, Mohammed Adamu, over a five-year comprehensive strategic plan on the transformation of the Force.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Board, Suleiman Abba, at a media briefing in Abuja.
Abba said the Fund has resolved to organise an emergency training, provide requisite state-of-the-art equipment as well as appropriate welfare plan for personnel deployed to the newly formed Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and other specialised units in the Force.
He appealed to the #EndSARS protesters to reciprocate the government’s democratic posture as well as support the current reforms.
According to the board chairman, the PTF has identified with the protesters’ demand for police reform; and also aligned itself with the decisions and actions already taken by President Muhammadu Buhari and police authorities on the matter.
He said: “In line with the recommendations of all previous police reform reports, Mr. President ensured the establishment of the Trust Fund.
“The objectives of which is the consummation of the recommendations of the previous Police Reform Reports. These earlier police reforms recommendations provided for the objectives of the Trust Fund; as spelt out in section 5, Nigeria Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019.
“They constitute a summation of the government’s police reform agenda; which the Trust Fund is mandated to achieve.”
Meanwhile, the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday, October 16; has mandated the state governments to inaugurate panels of inquiry; to unravel cases of police brutality against Nigerians.
This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesman to Osinbajo, Laolu Akande.
Furthermore, the NEC requested that the state governors and the FCT minister should take charge of interface; and contact with the protesters in their respective domains.
“Rising from its monthly meeting, the National Economic Council has directed the immediate establishment of state-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extrajudicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units,” a communiqué issued by Osinbajo after the meeting stated.
