IGP bows to pressure, disbands SARS

SARS, at the centre of the #ENDSARS protests across the country, is scrapped

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday bowed to the pressure of #EndSARS protesters and announced the dissolution of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force as demanded.

Adamu, who announced this during a live broadcast said the operatives will be redeployed to other police formations and commands.

“The Federal Special Anti -Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory,” the IGP said at the briefing.

Police public relations officer, DCP Frank Mba, issued a statement on the dissolution.

“In the finest spirit of democratic, citizen-centred and community policing, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has today, 11th October, 2020, dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where they hitherto existed.

“The IGP, while noting that the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people, observes that by this dissolution, all officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect.

“The IGP notes that the Force is not oblivious of the ever present need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad.

“He assures that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS would cause has been evolved and shall be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, as part of measures to prevent a re-occurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a Citizens’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum is being formed to regularly interface with Police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public.

“In addition, the Force is constituting an Investigation Team which shall include Civil Society Organizations and Human Rights Bodies to work with the Police in investigating alleged cases of human rights violations.

“The measure, the IGP believes, will enhance transparency and accountability in police services as well as providing a system of deterrence for erring police officers whose action clearly violates the rights of the citizenry.

“The IGP appreciates and commends all citizens particularly those who genuinely express their concerns for a better policing orientation in an organized, patriotic and civil manner. He reaffirms the determination of the Force to bequeath to the country a Police Force and System that is professional in service delivery and most importantly, accountable to the people.”

The disbarment of the anti-robbery squad is coming after days of online and offline protest by Nigerians both home and abroad against the brutality and violation of human rights by the SARS operatives nationwide.

Why a ban?

Protesters have been on the streets in major cities calling for a ban on SARS.

They cite the extortion, harassment, intimidation and killing of young Nigerians by SARS operatives.

Young people are routinely profiled as criminals and internet fraudsters – popularly known as Yahoo boys – and living flamboyant lifestyles with no tangible means of income.

The profile also expanded to include owning electronic gadgets, having chic haircuts and hairdo, driving a car.

Many report having being victimised, arrested and extorted for thousands of naira.

The protests were sparked by shootings in which one man was killed in Ughelli and a woman was shot in Lagos.

The IGP issued an initial order banning SARS operatives from routine tasks: stop and search, traffic checks, roadblocks and checkpoints.

He announced a reform was in place.

But protesters insisted on a total disbandment of the outfit.