OLEH: One of the foremost Isoko patriot and industrialist, Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has called on the federal government on the urgent need for total reform amid improved welfare package and adequate training for the men of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.

The Delta born philanthropist has deem it inviolable to join the call made through nonviolent protests by eminent Nigerians, at home and in diaspora, to breath down the throat of the presidency to put a halt in the excesses and extra-judicial killings by Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

SARS which is a department in the Nigeria Police Force, set up to checkmate robbery crimes in our environs, has been involved in several non-principled activities of molestations, extra-judicial killings and extorting innocent Nigerians going about their daily means of livelihood.

These inappropriate acts instigated nationwide protests with the hashtag of #EndSARS which took place in various cities and were carried out by patriotic Nigerians to get the attention of the presidency for instant scrapping of the department from the Nigeria Police Force.

In resultant to the protest, the presidency heeded to the clarion call made by Nigerians and issued a statement effecting the disbandment of the SARS and assured the governed of onward police reforms.

Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, an erstwhile coordinator of Edo, Delta and Rivers States in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isoko federal constituency 2019 elections, has aligned with the presidency in calling for a total police reform.

In his statement, the stalwart of the APC, said, ‘I wish to align myself with the urgent need for total reformation of Nigeria Police.”

“EndSARS alone will not give the desired result.”

“An improved welfare package and adequate training will be the step in the right direction, he concluded.”

An excerpt of the statement made available by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Muhammadu Buhari said, ”I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases, extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force.”

‘The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.”

 ”We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.”

”We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.”

”I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated.”

”Meanwhile, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties.”

‘The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force.”