In response to the allegation by a lawyer Abdul Mahmud on Twitter, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi stated that his government was never empowered to arm the Special Anti-Squad Response team in the State.
Recall that citizens have disclosed that Awkuzu division of SARS in Anambra State killed more people during the administration of Peter Obi and according to the allegation, the governor did nothing about it.
It was also alleged that CSP Nwafor of Awkuzu division was at the front line of killing youths in Anambra State.
He said, “Dear @AbdulMahmud01, as Governor, I was not constitutionally empowered to arm SARS or any unit of the Nigeria Police Force or the Army. So, we never bought arms and ammunition for them because we were not legally empowered to do so. We only supported them from time to time with operational vehicles and other logistics.
Therefore, I never armed SARS throughout my eight years as Anambra Gov. I only worked with the security agencies, which are all Federal establishments. I was never involved in posting of security agents to Anambra State throughout my stay in office. I worked with the ones that were posted through the Commissioner of Police or heads of other agencies.
Those heading the security agencies supervised their agents. I only wanted the State and her residents to be secured. I never asked anyone to deal with any citizen outside of the law.”
He also stated the ways he tried to help in curtailing their activities to stop the killing and harassment that they are associated with.
“When the Ezu River issue came up, I had to cut short my foreign trip, returned home and did the needful, including directives that autopsy be carried out as part of a full investigation. Till date, I can attest, and those who know me very well can corroborate that I have never used any privileged position I held which I consider is by the Grace of God Almighty for wrong reasons.”
Peter Obi condemned the activities of SARS and called for a review of the program and put a stop to their excesses.
“Indeed SARS was not set up to harass, intimidate, extort, maim or kill citizens. It is time to review its activities and put a stop to the excesses now associated with it.”
