From Lucky Barth, Abuja
The Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, has announced the immediate disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad SARS, following unrelenting nationwide protests by Nigeria youths over its cruelty. But some youths are still uncertain whether it would work, given past promises of reform that failed
Ms Natacha Akide, an ex-BB Naija Housemate, 2019, expressed doubts about the promised reforms in an interview with Channels TV programme, “On rubbing Minds”, anchored by Ebuka Chikendu immediately after the announcement by the IGP.
She narrated in a representational manner for the protesting youths, an experience in Port Harcourt when a friend on hers was harassed by men of SARS and when she went to bail him she was made to seat on the floor and dictated on what statement to make. “These guys, (SARS) feel they are above the law, which makes you feel insecure. They profile people which is wrong. They are supposed to be fighting armed robbery not cybercrime, if that is what they say. I am more worried about the behaviour of SARS harassment than armed robbery. Even the deployment announce by the IGP, which unit of the police will they be deployed? How soon is the reform coming, 2021, 2013”. I do not believe the reform is coming. We the youths have been hearing this promise since 2017, for God’s sake. Like I said our tired is tired. What we the youths want is genuine reform, social amenities and well paid policeman who are well kitted and when they see us on the streets do not and feel inferior.
In his contribution on the programme, Wale Osunde, a lawyer, also expressed worry whether the reforms would make meaning. “How do you explain that some police men even carry POS? Section 40 of our Constitution is very clear that Nigerians have the right to express protest against cruelty. Right now every leader in Nigeria has to come to the realty that things are changing in Nigeria. Nigerians are watching and we are not going to take lies anymore”
Representative of the Police Service Commission in the South South, Austin Braimoh, commended Nigerians for their protest in the past weeks and asked for calm to allow reforms to go ahead. He was however blunt in saying that his Commission is not allowed to exercise its right to discipline the police .
“I commend Nigerians for raising their voices, Every Nigeria has been a victim of the SARS.We have realised the operational base have been default and the SARS have to be reformed 28 29TH sept the Polec treated 43 cased and 23 police were dismissed and 9 were dismissed. I want Nigerians to demand for independent of the Police Service Commission, Nigerians are supposed to complain to Police Service Commission, We do n not have offices in 36 states of the federation, We are squatting at an office in Abuja. I can assure you that an action will be taken on the killing of Jimoh in Ogbomoso. Even in retirement, we can dismiss policemen and women. We are the only Constitutionally empowered body to supervise and discipline every rank excerpt the IGP. I appeal to Nigerians to report every evidence on police action during the protest and we would act on them”
He continues; “Why I said the major problem has to do with operation is because of the centralisation of SARS activities. When you have a situation where they could no longer report to the DSP or Commissioner of Police in the state, or AIG but straight to the IGP, it makes them power drunk.”
The current nationwide protest started in Delta state, where the shooting of a man by SARS last week Thursday sparked off the current wave of protests that have been rocking Lagos, Abuja, Osogbo, Ibadan and Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Kaduna and Kwara states and then Toronto, Canada, where the protest is still raging as at press time.
Mostly championed by by Nigeria youths who have been at the brunt of the unit’s brutality, with a policeman losing his life in Ughelli and a youth, shot dead yesterday in Ogbomoso by yet to be identified gunmen since the police have denied any involvement He made the announcement at a press conference on Sunday afternoon in Abuja.
The protesters across the country demanding the end of the police unit which is notorious for human rights violations, would appear to have been heard by the police authorities, awaiting implementation
Initially, the IGP responded to the protest by banning operatives of SARS, the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.
But the youths sustained the protest given that promises of reform in the past had failed, calling for total ban of the SARS. Then President Buhari had to summon Adamu to the Presidential Villa and gave him the riot act to move with speed to reform the police.
Adamu announced that n new police unit to take SARS place would soon be announced by the police, while the regular SARS would be redeployed into the regular police force. ”
“Following the reforms announced by the police, the SARS is hereby dissolved across the 36 states and would be redeployed to the regular police Force. A citizens and stakeholders forum would be formed to interact with the police to deal with complaints. The civil society groups, he announced would also be coopted into the new group, he said
DCP, Frank Mba, Force Public Relation Officer at the force Headquarter, Abuja, immediately followed with a statement.
He said in the statement; “The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory.”
The statement titled, ‘IGP Dissolves The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)’, said, “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.
“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.
“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. 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 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. “
