The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria responded to the protests by addresiing beyond the five points demands from protesters.
Within a few days of the protests, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, stepped in and convoked his close collaborators to determine the way forwad.
Friday October 9, 2020, The President met with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and in a statement after their discussion, he said his government is determined to reform the Police and he is being briefed regularly on the unethical conduct of the Nigerian Police Force.
On 11 October 2020, the Nigerian Police Force announced that it was dissolving the unit with immediate effect on instruction of the President of the Republic.
The move was widely received as a triumph of relations between the presidency and the population.
On Monday October12, 2020, President Buhari acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.
“On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms” Buhari said.
October 22, The President addresed the nation and indicated that the government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in the society such as;
- A broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years;
- The creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government will:
a. Pay three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,
b. Pay for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,
c. Give a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and
d. Guarantee market for the products of traders..
With regard to the welfare of police personnel.
Buhari said the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force.
In his speech, the President declared that his government will continue to improve good governance and democratic process, continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.
To Nigerian neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, he thanked them and urged them all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.
In the circumstances, President Buhari ended by saying that;
“I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy”.
