By Editor
Following widespread protests, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday disbanded the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).
The dissolution is sequel to widespread protests over allegations of brutality and human rights violations by the squad.
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police, otherwise known as SARS, is hereby dissolved across all formations, the 36 state police command and the Federal Capital Territory where they currently exists,” Adamu said.
The IGP who spoke at a press conference on Sunday, however, noted that the current developments and the outcry by sections of Nigerian have remained under constant monitoring and due assessment by the government.
He also explained that government acknowledges the inalienable rights of citizens to freedom of association and expression.
Similarly, in a statement, the Force Public Relations Office, Force Headquarters, Dcp Frank Mba, said that “the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people”.
“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”.