Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered with immediate effect, the total overhaul of the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), following complains from Nigerians.
In a press statement released a few minutes ago, the Acting President said due to persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the SARS that border on allegations of human rights violations, it was clear that the security outfit has totally deviated from what it was initially set up for, so the need for restructuring.
The Press Statement reads:
“Following persistent complaints & reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Osinbajo 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:
(1) The prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping,
(2) Apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.
The Press Statement reads:
“Following persistent complaints & reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Osinbajo 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 & restricted to the prevention & detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.
The Acting President has also directed the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris 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.
The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.
Acting President Osinbajo also directed the National Human Rights Commission 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.”