The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed
Adamu, has announced the dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery
Squad (SARS).
The police chief also announced major police
reforms including the formation of an
investigative team, which will include civil
society and human right groups, for the
purpose of “investigating alleged cases of
human rights violations” by the police.
The dissolution of the SARS is coming on the
heels of the #EndSARS protest nationwide.
The IGP, who reports directly to the Nigerian
president from whom he receives directives,
made the announcement on Sunday afternoon
at a press conference at the force headquarters.
A statement on the announcement was also
circulated by the police spokesperson, Frank
Mba.
“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,” Mr Mba said in the statement.
“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.”
He said the police is not oblivious of the ever-
present need to combat armed robbery,
kidnapping and other violent crimes in the
country which he said was before now the core
mandate of the erstwhile squad.
He also announced 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.”
According to him, the new measure 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,” he said.