IGP scraps SARS in wake of protests

What initially started as a protest on social media later moved to the streets.

After several days of protests by Nigerians to scrap the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Sunday dissolved the squad.

The IGP, who spoke through the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said all officers and men of the now-defunct group, would be redeployed with immediate effect.

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The police boss added that a new anti-robbery squad would be set up to replace SARS.

He said the dissolution of the squad across the 36 state police commands and the Federal Capital Territory where they hitherto existed was in the spirit of democratic, citizen-centered and community policing.

He added that the decision was in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people.

However, activists who were at the forefront of the fight to disband the Unit have expressed doubt over the pronouncement. They alleged that the dissolution of the unit was done just to stop the protests.

Also, the Amnesty international said dissolution was not enough, adding that there was a need to tackle the underlying cause of the impunity exhibited by the operatives.

A security expert also said the police authorities need to go beyond scrap.

• The last straw

Although there had been protests over brutality and extrajudicial killings over the activities of SARS operatives, with many calling for their disbandment in the past, the latest incident, which occurred in Delta State appeared to be the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

The renewed calls to end SARS came on the heels of a young man allegedly killed by the operatives in Ughelli, Delta State, about three weeks ago.

It was also learnt that the security men fled with his Lexus Jeep and left his body by the roadside. A video of the incident had gone viral and the man who filmed the incident was said to have been arrested by the same group, a development that sparked anger among citizens.

What initially started as a protest on social media later moved to the streets.

The incident resurrected bitter experiences among Nigerians who had encountered the operatives. Activists, celebrities and ordinary Nigerians were united in their call for disbandment of the squad.

• Reforms

Aside the ‘reforms’ in the past, the IGP, in a swift reaction banned personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad from engaging in routine patrols, stop-and-search, mounting of roadblocks and traffic checks with immediate effect. Also expressing his displeasure over the development, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said there would be an immediate reform of the squad.

And on Wednesday last week, the Senate at its plenary, called for an investigation into the allegations against the SARS operatives.

But Nigerians were not satisfied with the verbal pronouncements, as on Thursday, October 8th, there were protests in Lagos and Abuja.

Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, Tiwa Savage, Douglas Agu popularly known as Runtown, Paul Okoye of the defunct Psquare also known as Rudeboy were among the protesters who hit the Lagos streets.

And in Abuja, the protest was led by the RevolutionNow leader, Omoyele Sowore, who led protesters to the police headquarters.  A popular female activist, Aisha Yesufu, was also at the forefront of protesters in Abuja.

The protesters all chanted “ENDSARS” while carrying placards with similar inscriptions. They all complained that the men of FSARS often attacked men who were properly dressed, carried expensive phones or laptops.

Other protesters complained that the operatives extorted money from anyone they arrested and failure to give the money earned the victim detention or death. As the protests continued in Abuja and Lagos, more Nigerians from different parts of the country joined in. It was reported that protests held in Edo State, Oyo State, Delta State.

On Saturday, Oct 10, there was a protest in Kaduna State, even as the President was in the state for the graduation of cadets. There were protests also in Bayelsa State, Canada and London. It was gathered that an onlooker, Jimoh Isiaq, was shot dead during the protest in Ogbomosho, as policemen attempted to disperse protesters. Jimoh was buried on Sunday, Daily Trust gathered.

• Activists doubtful of dissolution pronouncement

Speaking through his verified Twitter handle: @YeleSowore, one of those who led the protest in Abuja seeking an end to SARS, Omoyele Sowore, said, “they are trying to undercut the protests today by announcing the disbandment of “SARS”. Let’s be vigilant, don’t hold or plan an #EndSARS After Party! There is a gimmick in the pipeline, be sure that the REAL DEMANDS are met.”

Also, a renowned broadcaster, Frank Edoho said, “if the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria feels we are too small for him to address, then the IGP is too small for us to believe that SARS has been dissolved! Until then, #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria #EndSarsNow #ENDSARS. CONTINUES!!!!!!!!!!!

• ‘Implement reports on SARS’

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, commended the federal government on the disbandment of the Unit, calling for the implementation of earlier recommendations by the presidential panel.

Recall that in 2018, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo constituted a presidential panel headed by the Commission to investigate the complaints made by citizens across the country on the activities of FSARS and make recommendations for reform.

After the panel sittings, Ojukwu revealed that there were lots of shocking revelations that were made and that the report was submitted to the government, which contained far-reaching recommendations including the establishment of state and local government police structure and banning FSARS from embarking on routine patrol, stop and search duties etc.

In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary himself on Sunday, he said “the initial and right step to disband SARS by the IGP as part of the recommendations of the Presidential Panel, the stage is now set to implement the other recommendations of the panel”.

Also speaking on the issue, Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said the disbandment was not enough that action needed to be taken on the abuses committed by the unit.  He said there was a need to address the issues that allowed that level of impunity among operatives of the unit.

“Today’s announcement by the IGP disbanding the infamous SARS falls short of demands for accountability and justice for abuses committed by the unit and the police in general. Disbanding SARS must be supported by addressing the underlying issues that allowed impunity to thrive. For sustainable and long-lasting change the police authorities must take the following steps:

“Immediate and unhindered access to SARS and other police detention centers by oversight bodies such as Police Service Commission, National Human Rights Commission, as well as lawyers and human rights defenders.

“Immediate investigation and prosecution of all police officers who have been accused of grave human rights violations such as extra judicial executions, torture, and other ill-treatment.

“A clear and concise timeline for the implementation of the reforms to end police atrocities is key to safeguarding trust between Nigerians and the authorities.”

• ‘Disbandment will not change anything’

A terrorism and security expert, Dr. Amaechi Nwaokolo, said the disbandment of SARS will not change anything.

He added, “How many times since 2015 have they tried to disband SARS? At a point, the then IGP added F-SARS but that didn’t change anything. It shows the decay and rot in the police system of our country. I don’t think they can actually achieve what they are saying with the disbandment.  You will see they will come back in the next few weeks.

“Where are they actually going to post the operatives? What about their behavioural pattern; it is their lack of professionalism that is the issue. What is their mental capacity?”

• APC, PDP trade words

Meanwhile, the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, on his twitter handle on Sunday, blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for creating the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). He twitted, “Who created SARS? PDP.”

But the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi told our correspondent in a telephone chat last night that the APC was only playing to the gallery.

“Yes, SARS is a creation of the PDP. SARS had been doing well in the past but the APC didn’t say anything.  It’s now that SARS has started misbehaving that the APC is making a noise.

“But what has the APC created to end the Boko Haram insurgency? It’s unfortunate that APC is saying this. Nigerians shouldn’t take APC seriously, “the PDP said.