Dear Mr President,

The leadership of Africa Security Forum observes with great concern the police brutality, corruption and indiscipline that have necessitated the global protest for #EndSARS.

From a security perspective, the ongoing protest will not be resolved by the cosmetic decision of setting up judicial panel and creation of SWAT, which the youths on the streets of Nigeria have already rejected.

Nigerian youths are familiar with the secrecy that normally accompany committee/panel report publication in the past, which is never released for public consumption, and sometimes, these committees’ timelines are dragged for political reasons to dismiss the genuine protest of the youths.

It is important that The Presidency understands that Nigerians, both home and abroad, are tired of “cosmetic reforms” that are not inclusive, and there is “committee fatigue.”

The leadership of the Nigeria Police is negligible and accountable for the diabolical action of SARS. Thus, in a civilised democratic society, the police leadership would have honourably vacated their positions; but the contrary happens in Nigeria.

At Africa Security Forum, we are concerned about this security situation escalating beyond the current position and it is for this reason that we are calling for an urgent decision within 72 hours from Mr President.

The leadership of Africa Security Forum will like to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to the famous book, The Art of War, by Sun Tzu, in which he says:

“He who lets an advantage slip will subsequently bring upon himself real disaster.”

Nigerian YOUTHS protesting on the streets have the support of Nigerians in the Diaspora – from London to New York, from South Africa to Australia – including friends of Nigeria that believe “enough is enough.”

It is TIME NOW for The Presidency to show serious commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerian youths, to avoid serious damage to Nigeria PLC.

President Muhammadu Buhari should do the following within 72 hours to demonstrate a commitment to Nigerian youths:

1. Mr President should address Nigerians directly and give his commitment to Police Reform.

2. President Buhari, the first step to demonstrating that commitment should commence with the instruction that all Police Officers associated with extra-judicial killing and any form of citizen brutality should go on immediate suspension, pending conclusion of all investigations.

3. President Buhari would ask the IGP and all his deputies to step down, because he has been on the realm of affairs in the last 2 years when SARS continued to kill innocent citizens.

4. President Buhari should demonstrate practical commitment to better police and youth relationship with the establishment of the Police -Youth Security Partnership Panel in all Police Divisions.

5. President Muhammadu Buhari should release emergency funding for the police to cover their welfare and training.

President Muhammadu Buhari must act swiftly to build Nigerian youths” confidence in this administration and stop the protest consuming this government.

•Africa Security Forum http://www. africasecurityforum.co.uk

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