The Center for Democracy and Development has advocated for victims of police abuse to be compensated.
In a statement released on Tuesday by its Director, Idayat Hassan, the organisation highlighted its discontent with the government’s response to the development difficulties arising from the EndSARS protest.
The statement, headlined ‘EndSARS Anniversary: CDD Advocates Police Reform, Justice for Victims of Police Brutality,’ criticized several states’ responses to the commission of inquiry established to look into the circumstances surrounding the protest a year ago.
“Our record shows that out of the 36 states and the FCT, 29 states did set up the Panel of Inquiry to hear complaints against erring police officers, particularly personnel of the disbanded SARS,” the statement partly read.
It continued, “It is on record that 18 states have completed sittings, however, they did not submit the report of the panels. Ekiti is the only state that has completed the process, made its report public, and paid all compensations awarded to victims.
“Lagos State, though suspended its sitting indefinitely, has reportedly been visiting the families and relatives of only the police officers that were killed in the protest for payment of compensations.’
“To us at CDD, this imbalance needs to be addressed especially now that the country is desperately in search of peace.
“From our over two decades of field experience, working to deepen democracy, good governance and regional cohesion, a recurring component central to achieving sustainable peace and development remains social justice. And this is what the EndSARS protest was about. We therefore implore the government to ensure this is served to all concerned.”
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