Osinbajo Orders Immediate Overhaul Of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Directs Investigation Of Alleged Violations

Osinbajo

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has ordered for immediate overhaul of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police as well as investigation of the squad activities.

The directives were against the backdrop of growing reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations and gross abuse of office by the officers of the squad.

Osinbajo specifically 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.

A statement by Laolu Akande, a  Senior Special Assistant to the President, Office of the Acting President said: “The Acting President has also directed the IGP 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.

“The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.

“In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Special Panel that will conduct an investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress.”