Speaking to Nigerians, President Buhari has said that the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is the first step to an extensive police reform by his government.

He also said that he has directed that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be brought to justice.

He said this at the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES) that aims to create 774,000 jobs across the country.

“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 the misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice”.

Speaking on the violence during protests in Ogbomosho, the President said; “We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during recent demonstrations.

“I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated”

He however, reminded the populace that the vast majority of the Police Force are hardworking and diligent people and that the “few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the Force.”

The president while speaking on the entrepreneurship empowerment programme, reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth development and poverty alleviation.

He also pledged that the Federal Government’s policies of social protection and people empowerment would continue on track despite Covid-19 pandemic.

 Other attendees at the event include; Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Engineer Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.

The P-YES programme which the president has described as the corner stone of his administration’s social and economic development strategies, has been instrumental in empowering 100 youths from each of the 774 Local Governments Areas in Nigeria and is to be used to create 774,000 more jobs.

The key target areas of the P-YES are agriculture, food processing, restaurant and catering, tailoring and fashion designing and technical skills associated with the micro-economic sector of the economy.