The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Sunday said in spite of the ongoing global campaign against police brutality, it stands with the much criticised law enforcement agency.

“To all serving policemen and women, especially those who have consistently exhibited uncommon gallantry, chivalry, sacrifice and courtesy, we rise above the angry crowd to appreciate you today,” its leader Ishaq Akintola said.

Mr. Akintola said not all the operatives of the defunct SARS were bad.

“We remind #EndSARS protesting youths that not all SARS operatives are callous and vicious,’’ he said against sweeping generalisation. “It is our considered opinion that generalisation will not be fair to such officers who have served Nigeria well.”

Mr. Akintola called the attention of the Inspector General of Police to permanently remove all roadblocks and to stop policemen from checking vehicle particulars henceforth.

“Instructions to this effect have been issued a hundred times by the Police leadership but they were never adhered to,” he said. “Roadblocks and checkpoints have not been used to serve the original purpose. More often than not, innocent motorists are tormented there.”

The MURIC leader also stated that the #EndSARS protest should not be politicised or turned to a means of achieving a narrow objective.

“It is tantamount to hijacking a cause and diverting the people’s sentiment to a narrow and selfish objective.

“The Nigeria Police must up its game and ditto for the licencing authorities.

“We cannot afford to remain pedestrian in a jet age,’’ he added.

(NAN)