Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of the police in Nigeria has announced that SARS, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, has been scrapped with immediate effect.
He said, “The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory.”
The news was confirmed during a press conference in Nigeria today as well as on Twitter via the Nigerian Presidency account.
A message read, “PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE: The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force @PoliceNG has been dissolved WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. The Inspector-General of Police will communicate further developments in this regard.”
“All officers and men of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are to be redeployed with immediate effect. A new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS will cause is being worked on and will be announced by @PoliceNG.”
Allegations against SARS include torture, violations of human rights, unlawful arrests and detainment disproportionately against young people, kidnapping, murder, extortion and theft.
Nigerians across the world and allies have been protesting against SARS and called for them to be scrapped and held accountable for their crimes.