The Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has ordered a total reorganisation of the much-criticised crime busting outfit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), across the country.
The moves by the IGP followed stringent campaign in the social media for the scrapping of the outfit by Nigerians who accused operatives of the squad of undue harassment, extortion and extra-judicial killings.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Jimoh, on Monday said the IGP has decided to reorganise the outfit for effective service delivery.
Read the statement below:
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris concerned with public interest and the need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency and effective service delivery to all has directed the immediate re-organisation of the SARS nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force.
“The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).
“Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters.
“A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country. All Commissioners of Police have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives. The IGP X-Squad has been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer,” the statement read.
Meanwhile the police have launched a massive campaign in the social media, calling on Nigerians to contact the Force if they have any complaint against operatives of SARS.
In several tweets posted today, the police said: Re: #EndSARS If u’ve contact with SARS personnel and u’ve any complaints about deir actions or inactions, u’re at liberty 2 report deir conducts 2 various platforms provided by d NPF to deal with unprofessional conduct of members of d Force rather dan call 4 end SARS. 08057000001
”SARS unit of @PoliceNG, for about 40 yrs of its creation has tremendously recorded n achieved landmark successes in arresting dare devil Armed Robbers kidnappers n other violent Criminals as well as reducing 2d barest minimum crimes and criminality in the country,” another tweet stated.
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar also joined the twitter storm against SARS when he twitted: ”I spent last night reading the stories on this #EndSARS hash tag. I am deeply saddened and will do everything I can to help.
