The Department of States Services (DSS) has slammed the rumours making rounds on social media that its personnel were seen aiding hoodlums to attack End SARS protesters in Abuja.

Following the nationwide protest that has been staged by Nigerian youths, calling the government to address police brutality, extortion among others, a coalition of Civil Society Organisation has on Sunday cautioned the Federal Government to prevail on the Nigerian Army in a bid to suspend the planned “Operation Crocodile Smile VI”. This comes after another Coalition of Labour and Civil Society groups cautioned the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Col. Tukur Buratai against the deployment of the military to go after the #EndSARS protesters in order to avoid a bloody clash.

The Nigerian Army has announced it will commence Exercise Crocodile Smile VI, on Tuesday, October 20. Exercise Crocodile Smile VI, is usually conducted annually to checkmate the activities criminals across the country during the ember months, but this time with a special interest in the cyberspace. It intends to incorporate among other things a cyber-warfare operation, which the army said is “designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda on the social media and across the cyberspace.” This development came to light on a day that protesting youths in Lagos, Abuja and other states across the country became strident in their outcry against poor handling of affairs by the federal government. The Army indicated that Exercise Crocodile Smile VI, would run from October 20 to December 31, and that it will include counter negative propaganda by criminal gangs and groups in social media and across the cyberspace.

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has yesterday apologized to the youths protesting against brutality and extortion by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) across the country. Osinbajo who issued a statement last night revealed that the government has already swung into action that will squarely address the police problem in the land that was long overdue, especially their training, welfare, and condition of service.

Following the agitation of #EndSARS by the Nigerian youth, the Nigerian police have swung into action through demoting some and dismissing others of its airing officers.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) is expected to order prosecution of 24 other ex-SARS operatives who were accused of committing various offenses. Accordingly, names and service numbers of the reprimanded and dismissed officers were made public today by the commission as follows;

The Joint House of Representatives Committees on Justice, Human Right and Police Affairs, mandated to investigate the alleged extra-judicial killing and police brutality, says the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been invited to appear before it on Thursday, October 22. The joint committee also provided two WhatsApp contacts and an email address for victims of police brutality to forward their complains and experiences. The Chairman of the joint committees, Rep. Ugonna Ozurigbo, made this known while addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja. He said that the IGP is expected to appear and answer questions relating to the activities of men and officers of the institution. Ozurigbo recalled that as a result of the public outrage on the incessant protest on the alleged brutality, the House, on October 7, 2020, set up the joint committee.