SARS OverHaul: Nigerians Laud FG Over Move

Following the directive by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to "overhaul the management and activities" of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Nigerians have lauded the federal government for listening to their "cries".

There had been a nationwide campaign for SARS's disbandment (#EndSARS) championed by Segun Awosanya as a result of the unprofessional conduct by some officers attached to the unit.

“Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) 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,” Spokesman to the Acting President, Mr Laolu Akande wrote

Speaking With The Nigerian Observer, a University Don in Delta State, Samson Ibiwoye said there is need for SARS to be intelligence driven,  "instead of assaulting Nigerians."

Ibiwoye praised the directive by AgP Osinbajo, adding "SARS officers have been considered as pain in the neck of Nigerian citizens.The police force should reform the squad and give them more articulate orientation."

Also, A Youth Corp member serving in the federal capital territory (Abuja), Dan Olowo one also who welcomed the move said "now there will be freedom of movement and we the youths will be safe. Initially, the duty of sars was to protect us from armed robbery and other crimes, but they deviated."

Others who spoke on the development were however unanimous in their reactions, as they called on Nigerians to monitor the police activities to ascertain whether the directive is being implemented.

Mr Akande futher stated that the Acting President has also directed the Nigeria Police boss 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.

Recall a Benin based constitutional lawyer, Barr Olayiwola Afolabi, Popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and others had been clamouring for the reform of SARS to serve it purpose as against calls for it disbandment


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