ABUJA – The Acting President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has ordered for the immediate overhauling of the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the country.
Osinbajo said this became imperative following the persistent complaints and reports on the allegations of human rights violations, noting that, their activities should be henceforth intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping and nothing more.
The Acting President also directed the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to ensure all operatives in the new unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law, urging them to regard International Humanitarian Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of their suspects.
“following the persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on human rights violations, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Acting President, Federal Republic of Nigeria 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 the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the states offences, and nothing more.”
Prof. Osinbajo therefore warned the emerging operatives to always bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.
