Buhari finally speaks as END SARS protesters block Lagos airport, national stadium entrances

TRACKING___President Buhari has finally spoken, hours after protesters on Monday blocked the entrances of the Murtala Muhammed Airport and National Stadium Surulere in a bid to express their grievances against police brutality and extortion in the country.

Addressing the nation for the first time in about a two-minute broadcast uploaded on his verified Twitter handle, @MBuhari, amid the ongoing nationwide protests against the brutality and extrajudicial killings by men of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force, said the disbandment of the police unit was a first step to “extensive police reforms”.

“I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force.

“The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.

“We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.

Kemi Filani News reports that the protesters blocked the Murtala Muhammed Access Plaza displaying placards with various inscriptions today.

The protesters gathered around 10am and blocked motorists trying to access the Local airport by setting up their stand at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Access Plaza, thereby causing gridlock at the roundabout.

Many intended travellers had to find alternative means of transportation.

Singing songs of solidarity, they carried placards with inscriptions such as “iPhone no be gun”, “SARSMUSTEND”, “Chibuike Amana deserves justice”.