#ENDSARS PROTEST: IGP BOWS TO PRESSURE, SCRAPS NOTORIOUS SPECIAL ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD

By Joy Okosieme

 

The leadership of the Nigerian Police on Sunday capitulated to the demand by Nigerians for the scapping of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) by dissolving the police unit.

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who announced the dissolution at a press conference in Abuja, said the leadership of the Police had closely monitored and assessed the protests that had rocked the country in the last few days in taking the decision.

For years, the atrocities of the disbanded SARS unit, which bordered largely of harassment, extortion and even extra-judicial killings, had riled Nigerians who consistently called for it’s disbandment.

IGP Mohammed at the press briefing on Sunday acknowledged the inalienable rights of citizens to freedom of association and expression. He said the current agitation is seen as a manifestation of the natural desire of citizens to participate in matters concerning policing and internal security in the nation and undergirds the fundamental principles of Community Policing, which the Police is currently implementing.

The IGP said the leadership of the Police had, since the commencement of the protests, been engaging the leadership of some Civil Society Organisations with a view to initiating meaningful and wide-ranging discussions on the subjects of their concern.

He said the covenant of the Police with Nigerian citizens of this nation is to serve and protect them and integrate their concerns and views into our practices, especially within the dictates of community policing principles, which constitute a critical component of the National Policing and Internal Security Strategy of the Federal Government.

The Police boss stated:

“Following a review of the current developments, and in due cognizance of the wide and legitimately held concerns of well-meaning citizens on the existence and operations of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, as a responsive and citizens-oriented Police Force, it is hereby directed as follows:

• The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police, otherwise known as SARS, is hereby dissolved across all Formations, the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where they currently exist.

 • All officers and men currently serving in the Unit are to be redeployed with immediate effect.

• New policing arrangements to address the offences of armed robbery, and other violent crimes that fall within the mandate of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad shall be presented in due course.

• A Citizens and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum will be formed to regularly interface with the leadership of the police at all levels and advice on police activities.

• To deal with the reports of crimes committed against citizens, an investigation team will be constituted which will include civil society organisations for transparency, and culprits will be punished.

IGP Mohammed commended the policemen and women of the diligently going about their duties, guided by the dictates of the rule of law, honour and professionalism.

“I encourage them to sustain their sense of national service, sacrifice, patriotism and commitment to crime-fighting. Their gallant efforts to ensure the safety of the lives and property of all Nigerians are very much appreciated”, the IGP said.

He commend Nigerians for voicing their concerns for better policing orientation in an organised, patriotic, and civil manner.

He assured that the determination  of the Police to advance it’s reform agenda with a view to bequeathing to Nigerians a police institution and system that are not only accountable to the citizens, but professional in all components of its service delivery, remained unwavering. He called on Nigerians to partner with the Police its drive for a peaceful and secure internal security order.

 

 

 

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