Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Youths in Delta State have made fresh demands targeting at enhancing positive reforms in the criminal justice system and in the state public service.
The youths want the state government to immediately order the release of all detained persons arrested during curfew hours and were allegedly charged for arson and murder.
Speaking on behalf of #EndSARS Movement at a town hall meeting in Asaba, Mr. Harrison Gwamnishu, also urged the state government to expedite the creation of the five-member Police Complaints Committee to address complaints against errant tactical squad of the police.
Gwamnishu who is the founder of Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, further implored the government to put modalities in place to expeditiously address allegations of extortion, brutality and human rights abuses against errant members of security agencies.
He said the recent #EndSARS protest across the country was in reaction to the highhandedness of security operatives, particularly against the operations, extortions and brutality of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.
Besides, he said Nigerians, especially the younger generation, were fed up with the manifest corruption in virtually all tiers of government in Nigeria and the attendant hardship on citizens.
According to him, members of his foundation “have been practically exposed to the corrupt system in Nigeria police that we all are now fighting against.
“Experience has taught us that we must all partner with the government and hold the government accountable if we are going to see the kind of sustainable change we desire in the country.”
He therefore urged youths with noble intentions to sustain the tempo of agitation for good governance, and “disallow ourselves from being distracted or divided by enemies” of state if the nation is to be truly transformed.
Participants at the town hall which were drawn from various youths groups were unanimous in calling for better welfare for citizens.
Responding, the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who deplore  the attitude of some youths for flagrantly disobeying the curfew hours, promised to liaise with the police authority.
Okowa reiterated his earlier commitment to establish the police complaints committee which he (Okowa) would head as chairman.
The governor encouraged youths to take active part in partisan politics for the right reasons which is service to humanity and not for personal aggrandizement, if they truly desired to change the narrative.