The disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is the first step to extensive police reforms by my administration, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday in Abuja.
President Buhari, who spoke at the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), aimed at creating 774,000 jobs across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country, also ordered that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be brought to justice.
“Disbanding SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms,” says @mbuhari, in response to #EndSarsNow protests across the country.
“Few bad eggs will not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force.” pic.twitter.com/rbaygjkhEFSPONSOR AD— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) October 12, 2020
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday dissolved the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) after several days of protests by Nigerians to scrap the squad.
The IGP, who spoke through the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said all officers and men of the now-defunct group, would be redeployed with immediate effect. The police boss added that a new anti-robbery squad would be set up to replace SARS.
During the ongoing protests, Isaq Jimoh was felled by a police stray bullet in Ogbomosho, while two others victims were hospitalized at the Bowen Hospital, awaiting surgery.
But the #EndSARS protesters had refused to back down, releasing five demands which include:
- “Immediate release of all arrested protesters.
- “Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.
- “Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days).
- “In line with the new police act, psychological evaluation and retraining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded SARS before they can redeployed.
- “Increase police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens.”
Death in a demonstration
President Buhari, while reacting to the development, directed that the circumstances of the death of Jimoh during a demonstration in Ogbomosho Area of Oyo State should be thoroughly investigated.
Buhari said: “I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force.
“The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.
“We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.
“We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.
“I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated.
“Meanwhile, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties.
“The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force.”
Cornered vice president
The Vice President, who was cornered after the event by State House reporters, said the purpose of law enforcement and policing was nothing but for the safety of lives and livelihood of Nigerians.
Osinbajo, said all stakeholders were now committed to seeing a Nigeria Police Force as a law enforcement that met the expectations of Nigerians, added that he had been involved in such issues in the past.
He said: “But we must also understand that it’s a process, it is not an event. Reform is a process and we must all commit to it and must stay focused on those issues.
“The clear message is that there is a government commitment to ensuring that the process of reforms, those who have committed wrongful acts are duly investigated and prosecuted. And that whatever replaces SARS is something that is acceptable, first of all, compliance with all of the tenets of the rule of law and human right rights.I think these are deep issues that we are all concerned about.
“I don’t think one person is more concerned than others. I have also been involved in many cases of many young people trying to resolve this kind of conflicts that have been reported.
“I think it is a good moment for the police force and for all of us to try and reform the police. We are all committed to it.”
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