Nigerians win! as IGP dissolves SARS

Nigerians finally have their voice heard as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Muhammad Adamu dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where they hitherto existed.Adamu, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Frank Mba, on Sunday, said that the dissolution of SARS was in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people.According to him, by this dissolution, all officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect.Nigerians have called for the dissolution of the squad alleging cases of brutality against the force.The IGP said the Force was not oblivious of the ever present need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad, assuring that a new policing arrangement would be announced in due course to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS would cause.He said, “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 IGP said the measure will enhance transparency and accountability in police services as well as provide a system of deterrence for erring police officers whose action clearly violates the rights of the citizenry.The IGP commended Nigerians for genuinely expressing their concerns for a better policing orientation in an organised, patriotic and civil manner and  reaffirmed 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.