End Police Brutality: Mr Latin, Odunlade Others Agitate Better Welfare Packages For Police

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Clamour to end incessant police brutality across the country gathered momentum on Tuesday as top celebrities in entertainment industry in Ogun State embarked on a peaceful protest to register their grievances as well.
The celebrities led by the National President of Theater Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Bolaji Amusan popularly called Mr Latin, joined other protesters against police brutality in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
They hereby called on Federal Government not to just disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police, but to begin wholistic reforms that would make Nigerian police be civil in their conduct and operate according to international best practices.
In their midst were Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, and Fuji musician, Alhaji Sefiu Alao, as they commenced the protest from Panseke area through Oke Ilewo, and finally landed at Iwe Iroyin, the secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council.
The protesters carried various placards with inscription of all kinds of solidarity messages for the federal government not to just disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police, but to reforms the entire police.
Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: ‘FG must end police brutality now’ ‘Looking good is not a crime’, ‘iPhone is not a gun’, ‘Don’t kill me because I am looking good’ and among others.
While addressing newsmen, Mr. Latin remarked that it was high time for the government to take decisive actions that could strengthen Nigeria police and make them discharge their constitutional duties without molesting anybody.
He said: “After EndSARS protest, what next? It’s time for the federal government to begin wholistic reforms in the police. The police must stop this brutality against fellow Nigerians. We are saying no to all forms of intimidations, illegal arrest and extra judicial killing. 
“Let the federal government give the police good salaries, they shouldn’t be the one buying their uniforms themselves, let the government give the police conducive working environment so that all these challenges will not be influencing the way they behave. Police brutality must end now.”
In the same vein, popular Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola said: “We are joining other Nigerians to say enough is enough, the federal government must end police brutality now. It is not good for us neither is it good for the image of the country.
“It is time for the police to respect the constitution and perform their duties in such a way that the rule of law is respected. Life is sacrosanct and must be dignified at all times, so, the federal government must end police brutality now.”
Other speakers during the protest included the Abeokuta based fuji musician, Alhaji Sefiu Alao; popular radio presenter, Akinyemi Olatoye fondly called Alawiye Federation; Bunmi Mustapha, Ogun State Correspondent for City People Magazine and event planner of repute and many others.