Saraki meets IGP over Police Reform Bill days after officers killed Kolade Johnson

Saraki met with the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Abuja on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, days after the tragic killing of Kolade Johnson, a 36-year-old father of one, in Lagos State.

Johnson was killed by an officer of the Gbagada division of the Lagos State Police Command's Special Anti Cultism Squad (SACS) while the team was attempting to arrest another man because of his dreadlocks in the Mangoro area of Lagos State on Sunday, March 31.

During Wednesday's meeting, Saraki, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Olu Onemola, assured Adamu of the readiness of the 8th National Assembly to pass the Police Reform Bill and the Police Trust Fund Bill before the end of its tenure.

He said both bills, which are at various stages in both chambers of the National Assembly, would help to bequeath a more effective and efficient Police Force to the country.

He said, "The performance of the Nigeria Police is key to our nation's security. This is because apart from us ensuring that the institution is well-funded, we need to ensure that the Police plays its Constitutional role in the security of our nation. Across party lines, the police can be reassured of our support to strengthen it as an institution.

"Funding is a major issue, and I know that a lot of work has been done to ensure that the Police Trust Fund Bill gets to its current stage in the House. Before the end of the 8th Senate, I want to assure you that we will pass this Bill.

"Another critical issue is the Police Reform Bill which has gone through Public Hearing with major input from stakeholders. We started this process before your tenure, but we can still allow a few more days before it is laid, so that you too can make your contributions.

"We would like you to take a close look at this Bill alongside the Committee, so that by next week, we can lay the Report of the Bill and pass it. Once we begin to address the issue of funding and institutional reform of the Police, many of the recent incidents that we have seen like the abductions yesterday on Abuja-Kaduna road, and the killing of the young man in Lagos, will also be addressed."

The IGP also expressed confidence that the Police Trust Fund Bill would assist in strengthening the institution and alleviating many of the challenges faced by the Force.

"The security challenges in the country are so high, however, the resources are limited," he noted.

A statement released by the Force on Tuesday, April 2 identified Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan and Sergeant Godwin Orji as the officers arrested in connection to the shooting.

Both men have been subjected to internal disciplinary procedures and may be prosecuted in conventional court if implicated by the investigation into their conduct.

Johnson's killing has led to widespread calls for the implementation of meaningful police reform to curb brutality unleashed on helpless citizens.