Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to conduct a strict overhauling of the Swift Anti Robbery Squad, SARS.
SARS, a department of the Police in Nigeria has been menacing and highhanded in approach, usually arresting innocent Nigerians and impinging on the rights of the populace and rights of individuals as humans.
Pressed by the wanton calls against the continuous existence of the department, Ag. President Osinbajo considered it imperative to project and execute a lasting measure that will checkmate the activities of SARS officials, while he also ordered the National Human Rights Commission to conduct an investigation into the department’s activities across the country.
In a Press Statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to Osinbajo on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, it was stated clearly that the Police IG must overhaul SARS and find a way to ensure anti-robbery activities are as strong as possible, while promoting productivity and discipline in the Police.
“Following persistent reports and complaints on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS), that border on allegations of human rights violations. His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN- Acting President, Federal Republic of Nigeria has directed the Inspector General of Police, to with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any unit that will emerge from the process must be intelligences driven and restricted to prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the listed offences and nothing more.
The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging unit conduct their operations with strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Humanitarian Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.
In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a committee that will conduct nationwide investigation on the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress.”
[C] Rilwan Adetayo
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