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Tag: SARS

  • BREAKING: IGP announces team to take over duties of SARS

    BREAKING: IGP announces team to take over duties of SARS

    An investigative team instead of the dreadful Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) would be constituted, which will include Civil Society Organisations, to deal with the report of crimes committed against citizens, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu made this known on Sunday while announcing the disbanding of the SARS, and sternly warning that culprits would be punished.

    The IGP dissolved the SARS across all the thirty-six State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with immediate effect.

    “All officers and men serving in the unit would be redeployed to other Police Commands, Formations and Units.

    “A new policing arrangement for tackling the offences of Armed-Robbery and other violent crimes will be unveiled to the public soon.

    “A Citizens and Strategic Stakeholders Forum will be launched to provide an avenue for citizens to regularly interface and advise the police authority on issues touching on the general public.

    To deal with the report of crimes committed against citizens, an Investigative Team will be constituted which will include Civil Society Organisations and culprits will be punished,” a statement by the NPF reads.

    According to the statement signed by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the IGP disbanded the SARS “in the finest spirit of democratic, citizen-centred and community policing”.

    “The IGP, while noting that the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people, observes that by this dissolution, all officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect.

    “The IGP notes that the Force is not oblivious of the ever present need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad. He assures that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS would cause has been evolved and shall be announced in due course.

    “Meanwhile, as part of measures to prevent a re-occurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a Citizens’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum is being formed to regularly interface with Police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public.

    “In addition, the Force is constituting an Investigation Team which shall include Civil Society Organizations and Human Rights Bodies to work with the Police in investigating alleged cases of human rights violations. The measure, the IGP believes, will enhance transparency and accountability in police services as well as providing a system of deterrence for erring police officers whose action clearly violates the rights of the citizenry.

    “The IGP appreciates and commends all citizens particularly those who genuinely express their concerns for a better policing orientation in an organized, patriotic and civil manner. He reaffirms the determination of the Force to bequeath to the country a Police Force and System that is professional in service delivery and most importantly, accountable to the people,” the statement reads.

  • BREAKING: IGP disbands SARS nationwide

    BREAKING: IGP disbands SARS nationwide

    The Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed has announced the immediate disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) following nationwide protests over its brutality.

    He made the announcement at a press conference on Sunday afternoon in Abuja.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba in a statement said the officers of the squad will be redeployed with immediate effect.

    Read full statement below:

    IGP DISSOLVES THE SPECIAL ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD (SARS)
    · Emplaces other measures to protect the citizens

    In the finest spirit of democratic, citizen-centred and community policing, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has today, 11th October, 2020, dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where they hitherto existed.

    The IGP, while noting that the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people, observes that by this dissolution, all officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect.

    The IGP notes that the Force is not oblivious of the ever present need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad. He assures that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS would cause has been evolved and shall be announced in due course.

    Meanwhile, as part of measures to prevent a re-occurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a Citizens’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum is being formed to regularly interface with Police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public.

    In addition, the Force is constituting an Investigation Team which shall include Civil Society Organizations and Human Rights Bodies to work with the Police in investigating alleged cases of human rights violations. The measure, the IGP believes, will enhance transparency and accountability in police services as well as providing a system of deterrence for erring police officers whose action clearly violates the rights of the citizenry.

    The IGP appreciates and commends all citizens particularly those who genuinely express their concerns for a better policing orientation in an organized, patriotic and civil manner. He reaffirms the determination of the Force to bequeath to the country a Police Force and System that is professional in service delivery and most importantly, accountable to the people.

    DCP FRANK MBA
    FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
    FORCE HEADQUARTERS
    ABUJA

  • Scrapping FSARS amounts to throwing out bathwater with the baby – Northern youth

    A socio-political group in Bauchi, the Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN) has advised the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) against scrapping the Special Anti Robbery Squad popularly known as FSARS.

    Addressing newsmen in Bauchi through its spokesperson, Mr Ukasha Hamza, the group said the role being played by the squad in checking the activities of criminals, especially on the highways,could not be waived aside.

    It said what the squad needed was reform to enable it operate in conformity with the rules of engagement by respecting and upholding the fundamental rights of the citizenry.

    The group described as commendable, the recent directive by the IGP that Commissioners of Police in charge of state commands and Assistant Inspectors General of Police incharge of zones, should monitor the activities of the squad.

    NYAN lamented that security breaches, especially highway robbery and kidnapping, were in the increase ,saying scraping of FSARS would further compound the already deploration security situation.

  • Archbishop Martins calls for better security outfit to replace SARS

    Archbishop Martins calls for better security outfit to replace SARS


    The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has called upon the Police authorities to listen to the legitimate public outcry against the excesses of the officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

    He said that while the intention for setting up the special police outfit to curb incidents of armed robbery and other similar crimes was noble, the personnel have resorted to molesting the very people they are meant to protect.

    According to the prelate, the recent increase in allegations of police brutality, particularly SARS operatives, against Nigerians, mostly youths across the country was not only a breach of professional conduct but also showed wickedness and lack of respect for the citizens for whose welfare they were set up.


    He therefore expressed his support for the ongoing protests demanding an end to SARS as presently constituted and the emergence of a better constituted unit that is well-monitored and accountable for its actions. The officers in charge of such units must be specially trained, well-funded and equipped for such purpose. SARS at present has compromised the purpose of its existence.

    In a release signed by the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Archbishop Martins reiterated the need for a total overhaul of the present structure of Police Force in the country and the reorientation of the personnel to make them more efficient and accountable for their actions. He also advised that the process of recruiting officers and men of the Force should be re-evaluated to attract more graduates of sound mind and body who must be exposed to international standards of training. He emphasised the need for adequate funding of police operations and an enhanced remuneration package for all policemen across board.

    Hear him: “In recent times, we have received several reports and seen many online videos alleging that some personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, especially SARS operatives, have been involved in various acts of brutality and extortion against innocent citizens of this great country. It is sad that a good fraction of the very persons who are constitutionally empowered to provide security and ensure peace and order have now turned against the very people they are meant to protect. We have also received reports of how some SARS officials are accused of executing victims in extrajudicial manner. To say the least, this is incredibly sad and troubling. The only way of assuaging the anger in the land now is to ensure that the guilty ones are brought to face the law and justice seen to have been done. Such heinous crimes must not be condoned or allowed to continue.

    Unfortunately, we have been witnesses to the seeming inability of our police authorities to put an end to this outright siege on hapless Nigerians. We understand that there have been no less than four attempts by the topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian Police to call these special units to order without success. One wonders why this is the case. Inability to bring them under control give room for people to insinuate that the top echelons are themselves compromised. It would be sad if this is found to be true.

    We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police to commence a thorough and realistic review of the entire structure of the Police Force in order to restore its integrity. It would not be fair to the hardworking and thoroughbred professionals among the officers whose integrity have been put on the line unless a permanent halt is brought to the rot that has been festering in the system over the years.

    While affirming the right of Nigerians to peacefully protest against the excesses they experience, calling for an end to the brutality associated with officials of SARS and other arms of the law enforcement agencies, the Archbishop warned that failure of the leadership of the country to take appropriate action this time, is bound to exacerbate the worsening state of insecurity across the country.

     

     

  • #EndSARS: One killed, several injured as police clash with protesters in Ogbomosho [Video]

    #EndSARS: One killed, several injured as police clash with protesters in Ogbomosho [Video]

    An unidentified man was reportedly killed on Saturday, while several others were seriously injured as policemen clashed with #EndSARS protesters in Ogbomosho area of Oyo state.

    Details soon…

    Wacth videos:

  • #ENDSARS: Why we can’t honour Nigerians’ demand to scrap SARS – Police

    #ENDSARS: Why we can’t honour Nigerians’ demand to scrap SARS – Police

    The Nigerian Police Force on Tuesday said the much-criticised Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) cannot be scrapped because it is needed to combat armed robberies and other violence crimes.

    Several Nigerians, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, have condemned the excesses and brutalities of the unit on social media.

    Many had called for its scrapping, saying it has caused more harm than good with #ENDSARS and #WarAgainstSARS trending for days.

    But Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Nigeria Police, Abuja, Frank Mba, in a live Instagram chat with popular musician, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley however assured more will be done to police the policemen to prevent violations of human rights.

    Marley, who was supposed to be part of a protest to call for scrapping of the unit in Lagos on Tuesday, called off the action.

    He said the cancelled protest was to get relevant authorities to listen to Nigerians and do something about SARS.

    Mba said the police under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, have been proactive and would not wait for a protest before taking the proper actions.

    Mba said the fundamental job of the police is to protect lives and property and they must respect the choice of people to appear how they like.

    “There is no law that says dreadlocks, tattoos and other personal choices of appearance are offenses. It is nonsense,” Mba said.

    He assured there will be proper policing of policemen going forward, stressing they must operate within the dictates of the law and established code of conduct.

    Mba said if a policeman is doing anything wrong, citizens should take pictures and videos of the situation and send it to them for appropriate action.

    He however urged that such photos or videos be taken in a manner that does not compromise the taker’s safety.

    He said it was not a crime to record a policeman but certain infrastructure and situations should not be recorded for security purposes.

    “But if a policeman is doing something wrong, you can take pictures and record videos and send them to us. But make sure you do so safely.

    “If you feel in your interactions with the police that they are beginning to cross the line, you can take pictures and videos as long as it is safe for you to do so. When you send them to us, we will definitely follow up the matter and see it to a logical conclusion,” he said.

    He also advised against going into arguments with armed security agents.

    Mba called on government agencies, well- meaning Nigerians, as well as companies among others to support the Nigerian Police.

    He described the ongoing conversation on the activities of SARS as work in progress.

    Naira Marley, who said he was not threatened by anyone to cancel the planned protests, called for reform of the police unit.

    The musician said: “We want this nonsense to end and we would do all we can to end it. We need to reform SARS.

    “We need to get them of the roads. All we really want is for SARS to be like SWAT in the United States. You only see them when the occasion demands it.

    “They should be off the roads. In Nigeria we see SARS everywhere. They should only come out when there is a robbery or other violent crime that need their attention.”

    The live Instagram chat attracted over 30, 000 participants, including well- known Nigerians.

  • #EndSARS: Shelve your planned protest- Minister of Youths tells Naira Marley

    #EndSARS: Shelve your planned protest- Minister of Youths tells Naira Marley

    Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, has urged singer, Naira Marley to shelve the #EndSARSbrutality protest he has planned to lead on Tuesday October 6.

     

    The singer in a tweet posted yesterday evening said at about 9am today, he would be leading a peaceful protest in Lagos.

    ”So 9am tomorrow we move 2nd toll gate Peaceful protest No vandalism, no fights and no stealing.” the singer tweeted

    Responding to his tweet, the Minister appealed to him and others to shelve the protest as their grievances regarding SARS and police brutality are currently being addressed.

    ”I urge you and other youth not to embark upon any protest. Your grievances are being addressed at the highest level of government. As the Minister in charge of youth I know this is an issue that must be tackled. Government is doing just that.” The Minister tweeted

     

    As at the time of filing this report, Naira Marley is yet to react to the Minister’s appeal.

     

     

  • Delta Govt, Police dismiss SARS killing in Ughelli

    Delta Govt, Police dismiss SARS killing in Ughelli

    The Delta Police Command on Monday dismissed a video clip alleging that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) shot a man to death in Ughelli town, in Ughelli South local government area of the State.

    The Command spokesperson, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya said in a statement on Monday in Asaba that the video, which went viral, was the handiwork of mischief makers.

    “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command has been drawn to trending online videos and posts alleging SARS Operatives of shooting a young man to death in Ughelli.

    “The allegations in the online video about SARS operatives killing a young man in Ughelli are not only false, malicious and erroneous but also misleading.

    “The victim was neither shot nor killed by the policemen. The policemen involved are not SARS operatives as earlier reported.

    “The allegation is the handiwork of criminally-minded people who do not see anything good in the Police, but want Delta State to be in turmoil,’’ Onovwakpoyeya said.

    The police image maker said the Command deemed it necessary to put the record straight and to state the facts of the matter as it happened.

    According to her, operatives of Safe Delta Squad in Ughelli, who were on patrol along the Warri/Ughelli Road, Ughelli, on October 3, sighted a white Lexus Jeep which did not have a registration number.

    She explained that on sighting the police patrol team, the driver sped off in a suspicious manner and was given a hot chase by the patrol team who intercepted the vehicle and arrested its two occupants.

    “On the way to the police station, one of the suspects jumped out of the moving police patrol vehicle and sustained body and head injuries.

    “While trying to rescue him, an angry mob came out to attack the policemen, a development which made the team to leave the scene with the second suspect in their patrol vehicle to avoid violent confrontation with the mob.

    “Other police patrol teams were promptly mobilised to the scene, but were informed that the victim had been rushed to a private hospital in Ughelli by passers-by,’’ Onovwakpoyeya said.

    She added that the patrol team visited the victim in the hospital where he was being treated and saw him alive and recuperating.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Hafiz Inuwa, therefore, urges members of the public to discountenance the online video.

    “The viral video is fake and a malicious publication as it has no connection with the incident in Ughelli,’’ Onovwakpoyeya stressed.

    The police spokesperson recalled a similar incident where some kidnappers recently abducted a woman alongside her two children in her car in same Ughelli.

    Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has also debunked social media reports that a youth was shot by the Police in Ughelli on Saturday.

    Briefing journalists on Monday in Asaba, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu and Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, said that there was no iota of truth in the report.

    Aniagwu appealed to media practitioners to always verify their stories and ensure that what was published was the fact.

    He said that the government owed it a duty to continue to promote security of lives and property and would ensure that the security agencies operate in a civil and democratic manner.

    The commissioner said that it was the duty of the police and other security agencies to protect the people, adding that people should also respect them to ensure a peaceful environment.

    He berated bloggers on social media for rushing to press without proper investigation, adding that there was need for journalists to exercise restraint before publishing their reports to avoid falsehood.

    “Nobody was killed by police or any security agent in Ughelli; the youth, who was arrested by the police jumped out of the police vehicle and hit his head against something before being rushed to the hospital.

    “The young man did not die, he is being attended to at the hospital in Ughelli.

    “As a government, while we plead with the security agencies to always be civil and democratic in their approach, we also advise the people to show respect to security personnel.

    “In as much as we appreciate that social media has done well and is a medium for youths to dissipate their energy, they must not use it as a platform for mischief and misinformation, but rather it should be used positively,” he said.

    On his part, Egwuyega, said that the Ughelli incident came with lots of backlashes, but thanked God that the youths exercised restraints by not taking laws into their hands to disrupt social and economic activities in the area due to the misleading report.

    He charged the youth to direct their energies to positive use by identifying and taking advantage of the various opportunities provided by the state government to develop themselves.

    “I want to commend the youths of Ughelli for not acting out of control based on the falsehood.

    “Youths have lots of energy and they can dissipate their energies both negatively and positively, but I want to urge the youths to use their energies positively,” Egwuyega said.

  • Reps ready to urgently overhaul SARS – Gbajabiamila

    Reps ready to urgently overhaul SARS – Gbajabiamila

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Monday said the House will urgently look into the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, with a view to overhauling its operation.

    SARS has been in the eye of the storm as many Nigerians are calling for its ban.

    For days #EndSARS has been trending on twitter with thousands of Nigeria calling for outright disbandment.

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and others have also reacted and called for immediate overhaul of SARS, even as the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had taken drastic measures to curb SARS excesses.

    However, Gbajabiamila, on his twitter handle on Monday said last week, in his welcome speech on the House’s resumption from annual recess, he made it clear that one of its objectives was a total overhaul of the culture and practice of policing in Nigeria.

    He said the events of the past few days again emphasize the urgent need for this overhaul.

    He wrote: “Last week, in my welcome speech on our resumption from annual recess, I made clear our objective of a total overhaul of the culture and practice of policing in Nigeria.

    “The events of the past few days again emphasize the urgent need for this overhaul. The activities of SARS and other special intervention units of police is something the House must and will look into.

    “The police must work for Nigerians of good conscience, not against them.”

  • BREAKING: Lawmaker, Akin Alabi files motion to dissolve SARS

    BREAKING: Lawmaker, Akin Alabi files motion to dissolve SARS

    The lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara constituency in the lower house of Assembly, Honorable Akin Alabi has filed a motion before the House of Representatives asking for an urgent dissolution of the dreaded police special anti-robbery squad, SARS.

    Mr. Alabi, APC-Oyo, said there is enough evidence in the public domain to proscribe SARS immediately, warning that the unit has committed enough atrocities.

    He added that SARS operatives have become so lawless that even the police inspector-general can no longer contain their excesses, decrying how Nigerians now harbour untold fear of the deadly and corrupt unit.

    “Policing in Nigeria continues to fall short of modern practices where citizens should be treated with utmost respect and decorum, therefore making it very difficult for an average citizen to truly trust that the police are their friends,” Mr. Alabi said.

    Lawmakers were notified of the motion today and would likely be considered at a plenary this week.

    The demand came after widespread outcry against SARS deadly and crooked conduct led to an emotional weekend for the country.

    Inspector-General Muhammed Adamu responded to the outrage by announcing yet another restriction of SARS officers from the road, a decision Nigerians, including Mr. Alabi, said was superfluous and did not go far enough.