#ENDSARS Protests: IGP Bows To Pressure, Dissolves The Special Anti-Robbery Squad
Emplaces measures to protect the citizens
BY EVELYN DADU, ABUJA – Following the outcome of the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, the Police high command on Sunday announced the immediate dissolution of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide.
Announcing the dissolution of the agency, IGP Adamusaid that the decision is in line with the finest spirit of democratic, citizen-centred and community policing.
The Police boss said the dissolution of SARS is 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, said that following the dissolution, all officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect.
IGP Adamu said that the Police 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. Adamu assured 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.
These were contained in a statement by the Force Polic Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba in which he also said that as part of measures to prevent a re-occurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, the IGP said that 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.
The statement further states; “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 expressed appreciation as well as commended all citizens particularly those who genuinely express their concerns for a better policing orientation in an organized, patriotic and civil manner and reaffirmed 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.
President Mohammadu Buhari, in company of Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, had on Friday night invited IGP Adamu over the nationwide protest over #endFSARS
The disbandment is coming after several days of protests across the country over allegations of brutality and extra judicial killings by SARS operatives
The nationwide protests gathered serious momentum with Zahra, daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, and Kiki, daughter of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, taking to the social media to express support for the campaign.
Other important voices that joined in amplifying the #endSARS movement protests were British-Nigerian actor, John Boyega, and British television personality, Piers Morgan.