Lawmakers at the House of Representatives said on Thursday that it would investigate the allegations of extortion, bribery, torture, human rights abuses, “corruption and brutality” of citizens levelled against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) an arm of the Nigeria Police Service.

The house disclosed that the investigation would be carried out in public interest and within the legislative duty of the House to protect the safety, rights and dignity of Nigerians.

The House gave the assurance to Nigerians in Abuja while reacting to a position taken by the Force Headquarters that the current #EndSARS campaign was sponsored by politicians.

Commenting on the issue, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas, noted that the police spokesman, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, illustrated the police’ stance by using a photograph of the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and the lead campaigner, Mr. Segun Awosanya.

The House described the action of the police spokesman as an attempt to blackmail lawmakers and divert the attention of the public from the probe of SARS’s alleged atrocities.

Namdas stated that though Moshood did not specifically mention lawmakers while making his allegation, by using Dogara’s photo with Awosanya, for illustration, he implied that the speaker was one of the politicians he accused of sponsoring Awosanya.

Namdas spoke further, “It is important to note at this point that the police spokesman accuses politicians and Speaker Dogara alone cannot be politicians. In any case, the House of Representatives and indeed the parliament happens to be the home of the highest number of politicians, especially elected officials. It is obvious that, they are part of the politicians being so accused.

“Speaker Yakubu Dogara is not ashamed of being a politician because he is not just a politician but a tested and trusted leader, a lawyer and legislator of note with untainted honour and impeccable integrity. The  members of the House of Representatives do not also have any cause to deny their status as politicians.”

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