IGP dissolves SARS, to introduce other measures to protect citizens

Etim Ekpimah

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force, saying that a new measure will be introduced to protect citizens from criminal elements.

There has been public condemnation about the frightening cruelties the squad had inflicted on Nigerians, which nevertheless birthed a strong and sustained campaign, tagged “EndSARS” to rest their unceasing harassment, beating, killings, fraud, and more against Nigerians.

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, on Sunday, noted that in the finest spirit of democratic, citizen-centred and community policing, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, has on October 11t, dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where they hitherto existed.

The statement added that the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerians, noting that 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.

“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 statement read.

According to the statement, 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.

Adamu 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.