The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, Sunday, succumbed to public agitation for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and ordered its dissolution in the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where the outfit hitherto existed.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, said the IGP noted that the dissolution of SARS iwa a direct response to the yearnings of the Nigerians.
By the dissolution, Mba continued, all the officers and men of the now defunct outfit were 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,” the statement said. “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.”
