Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has directed the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to shut down the squad with immediate squad.
This is coming after so many complaints of the abuse of power by SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad).
The order follows persistent complaints and reports on the activities of SARS that border on allegations of human rights violations, which is after many months of online and street outcry of the #ENDSARS campaign.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by his Osinbajo’s media aide, Laolu Akande, the IGP has been instructed to ensure that any Unit that will emerge from the process, will be intelligence-driven, restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery, kidnapping, apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.
A statement from Laolu Akande, the media aide of the acting president, reads:
“Following persistent complaints and reports 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, will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more”.
Read the full statement below:
The #EndSARS campaign Chief, Segun Awosanya who also confirmed the report, wrote:
“We WON Guys! #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG @julietkego @Tutsy22@DrJoeAbahTime to build a new. The #NewNigeria is real. Congrats to @PoliceNG as we begin to reform. Out with the Old and welcome the New. #OsinbajoDelivers
“Thanks @yemusan1 @koredebello @RuggedyBaba @fodewunmi@ChubaEzeks@Iykepfs @DrArowoloAyoola @ikehiemma and all the great people out there that have been contributing daily in the past one year. Now to focus on monitoring sustainably #ReformPoliceNG
“The Devil is in the details. The implementation of the order is key. We will remain vigilant as we press on to ensure effective monitoring. Humans are weakest at the point of success but we must understand that success by itself is a journey & never a destination”.
Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, I have directed the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS. pic.twitter.com/xliQS1CRBN
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) August 14, 2018
The IGP will ensure that any Unit that emerges from the process will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more. pic.twitter.com/0rg4OhXYmR
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) August 14, 2018
I have equally directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging Unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. pic.twitter.com/tUrOOqG5jJ
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) August 14, 2018
The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty. pic.twitter.com/7V3N2MEDrz
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) August 14, 2018
Similarly, I have directed NHRC to set up a Special Panel that will conduct an investigation of 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. pic.twitter.com/fs9PTz3z9K
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) August 14, 2018
