The Nigerian Police Force has quashed the rumour making the rounds about the planned reintroduction of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Nigerian Police authorities.
Frank Mba, the Police Spokesperson, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Mohammed Adamu, the then Inspector-General of Police, last year announced the dissolution of SARS, the notorious Police unit in charged with the responsibility of curtailing armed robberies in the country.
Last year, thousands of Nigerian youths hit the streets all over the country, protesting against the dreaded Police Unit with the #ENDSARS, accusing them of harassment and intimidation
In its place, another unit known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) was created by the Nigerian Police.
This is the full statement from Frank Mba, the Nigerian Police Spokesman.
PRESS RELEASE
NO PLAN TO BRING BACK SARS, SAYS IGP
Trending news to the contrary absolutely false!
The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a false news report making the rounds online and offline suggesting that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered the re-establishment of the defunct Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS). The Force wishes to categorially emphasize that there is no plan whatsoever to bring back the disbanded SARS. SARS is gone for good and will not resurrect under any guise whatsoever.
The IGP notes that the Force has since reorganized its operational structure to fill the vacuum created by the disbandment of SARS. Currently, the leadership of the Force is focused on efforts at deepening reforms within the Police and bequeathing Nigerians a Police Force that will be more effective, efficient, technology-driven, humane and Rule of Law-compliant.
The IGP therefore calls on members of the public to disregard the report which is absolutely false and deliberately intended to disinform and misinform members of the public.
CP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
