The Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, has been officially disbanded.
This announcement was made by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, earlier this afternoon in a press release conference held this afternoon in the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
In his statement, the IGP stressed that the special squad has been dissolved with “immediate effect". He also mentioned that all officers serving in the unit will be deployed to other Police Commands, Formations and Units.
Furthermore, he assured that an Investigative Team will be set up to deal with report of crime committed against citizens and the culprits duly punished.
This move by the IGP came as a result of the nationwide protest against brutality and harassment of innocent citizens by the SARS hashtagged #EndSARSNow.
The peaceful protest which began on the 7th of October came as a result of a video which surfaced in the media sometime last week of officers dragging the limp bodies of two men out of a hotel, with one of the limp bodies being shot on the street.
This sparked a wave of rage among Nigerians causing people to take to their social media handles to recount their ordeals with men of the squad. Celebrities, public figures, social media influencers were not left out as they expressed their disapproval. Even international bodies registered their solidarity.
Protesters were on the streets for days and even slept in the cold of the night just so their voices could be heard and listened to. The protest, however, recorded one fatality from a stray bullet as well as tear gas being thrown to disperse the crowd.
But with the announcement by the IGP, Nigerians have equally taken to social media accounts to express their concerns about the way forward.
Popular singer, Burna Boy tweeted:
They have now allegedly disbanded SARS but so much more needs to be done!! 🚨 SARS is more than a “unit” its a mindset built from a lack of repercussions for the law enforcement. It’s not over yet family! 🇳🇬 #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY #STARTPOLICEREFORM
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) October 11, 2020
Recall, this is not the first time the IGP has made similar promises. Since 2017, promises have been made to shut down all the satellite unit of SARS across the country. Even with the death of Tiamiyu Kazeem, a Nigerian footballer who was allegedly pushed out of a moving police van by a member of the SARS to meet with his untimely death in February 2020, the IGP has not followed through with his promise to end the unruly behaviour of this notorious sect. Little wonder then that Nigerians are not enthusiastic about the news of the disbandment released this afternoon.
According to records by Amnesty International, a human rights organization, 82 cases of harassment has been documented between January 2017 and May 2020.
The group went on to say that youths between the ages of 17 and 30 are the main target.
“Young men with dreadlocks, ripped jeans, tattoos, flashy cars or expensive gadgets are frequently targeted by SARS."
On the past promises made, the Director of Amnesty International, Mr Osai Ojigho, has said that the Nigerian Authorities should go beyond lips services and ensure real reform.
As we watch to see events unfold in the coming days, we earnestly hope that the IGP follows through with his statement this time, bring the perpetrators in his command to book and ensure that safety is restored to our roads and streets.
