State Police, SARS Reforms: PMB Directs IGP, Ministry Of Justice, NHRC To Work Out Modalities For Implementation
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday directed the Inspector General of Police, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), to work out modalities for the implementation of the report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), within three months.
The President, who gave the directive while receiving the 2804 page-report from the Panel headed by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, said he believes that the Report of the Panel and recommendations contained therein would go a long way in redressing the grievances of the complainants, ensure accountability on the part of the Police Officers in discharging their responsibilities and facilitate the various Police reforms being introduced by his administration.
The report of the Panel, which is in Four Volumes had among other things recommended the dismissal of 37 police officers from the force and the prosecution of 24 officers.
The Panel Report also directed the IGP to unravel the identity of 22 officers involved in the violation of human rights of innocent citizens.
It equally directed the police to pay compensation of various sums in 45 complaints and tender public apologies in five complaints as well as obey court orders in five matters.
The Panel specifically recommended the establishment of State and local government police and the renaming of SARS to Anti-Robbery Section (ARS) which was its original name and to make the section operate under the intelligence arm of the Police.
