End SARS: Ayade declares supports for protesters, sets up panel to compensate victims of Police brutality

Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has pledged his support for the ongoing End SARS protest in the nation.

Gov Ayade stated this on Thursday while inaugurating a seven-man Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution to investigate police brutality on residents of the state.

The Governor said that African leaders must be bold enough to admit the fact that they have failed the younger generation.

“It is time for us to develop that consciousness, face reality and agree with the young people that something has gone wrong; it has nothing to do with one administration or the other but the result of a rot that has accumulated over time.

“It is time to provide prosperity for our young ones just as the government did for us during our time that is why I stand with the youths of this nation to say we must put an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)

“I cannot explain why a young man will come out of the university and five, six years down the line, he is still unemployed, yet, every day he tries to make a living on the streets and gets brutalised.

“Government must recognise the fact that it has to first provide that which was provided in our constitution in section 14 subsection two that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of its citizens, he said.

He challenged the panel to come together and allow people who had been brutalised speak out adding that the state would do all it could to ensure that victims are rightly compensated.

Responding, the Chairman of the panel of enquiry, Justice Michael Edem Rtd thanked the governor for appointing him and other worthy indigenes of the state adding that it would make his work easier.

According to Edem, a former Chief Judge of Cross River, they were not there for any sentimental or emotional course but to get the facts of the matters.

“We want to assure you sir that we will come out with findings and recommendations that will make you look back and say thank God this the panel was set”, he said.

It would be recalled that for over 10 days, the nation has been engulfed in protests by the youths over alleged brutality from FSARS and the Nigeria Police Force.