Tag: SARS

  • Disbandment of SARS: Still miles away from addressing inefficient policing in Nigeria

    Disbandment of SARS: Still miles away from addressing inefficient policing in Nigeria

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
    A partial victory was recently achieved over the prolonged brutality in the country. The notorious interventionist unit of the Nigeria Police known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) was disbanded.
    The disbandment of this police unit was trailed by a wide spread protests across some parts of the country with the hashtag #ENDSARS. Nigerians were highly fed up with the operations of this unit which left in its trail extra judicial killings, rape, harassment, intimidation of innocent Nigerians. Intact, operatives of the unit constituted themselves into demigods, straying into areas of operations that do not define their jurisdictions.
    On the other hand, the fear of SARS was the beginning of wisdom. It was better to dine with the devil than having an encounter with SARS as you would have to part with outrageous fees as bail out before they let you out of their hook.
    But like any thing that has beginning must have an end, the notorious unit was recently disbanded.
    Like so many analysts have questioned:”does the disbandment of this notorious unit bring to an end negative operation styles of the Nigeria police? ” Or has it achieved an end to police brutality in Nigeria?” The answer is NO.In the past, efforts have been deployed to address peculiar security challenges in the country. And these efforts manifested in carving out interventionist units within the police.  Unfortunately, instead of these units addressing the special assignments which they were created to address, they make the whole situations complex by leaving in their trail woes. As such, they are disbanded.
    Another important issue Nigerians must not forget in a hurry is that police brutality which culminates in extra judicial killings is not restricted to these interventionist units alone. Even the mainstream police are culpable.
    A typical example is the unfortunate incident of Izuchukwu Ayogu and Nnaemeka Ugwuoke. The promising futures of the young lads were caught short on Sunday March 10,2001  by the police in Nsukka, Enugu State.
    Izuchukwu on his way to deliver a letter given by his sister stopped to pick up his friend Nnaemeka. On their way they were stopped by three men in a Volkswagen car who asked them for directions.
    The boys could not help them and made to leave  but the men grabbed them and attempted to force them into the car. When the boys attempted to escape, the men raised  a cry of “thief” and the boys were rounded up.
    Amid the commotion, the divisional police officer of Nsukka then, Gambo Sarki, a divisional police officer, emerged from the nearby Milipat Hotel. The boys hope that the police officer was coming to save them was dashed. He did not come to help them rather forced the boys into his car boot and drove them to the police station with express instruction that nobody should see them.
    Repeated attempts by the boys parents to have access to their children met brick wall. The police at a point denied being in custody of the boys.
    Few days after, news filtered in that mutilated bodies of the boys, with their vital organs removed, have been found in a shallow grave in a bush in the nearby towns.
    When DPO Sarki got wind of the unfolding event, he quickly despatched a team of police to go and exhume the bodies to cover up what was fast emerging as police killing. In his other efforts to cover the killings, he released other inmates of the cell to stall any of them volunteering information about the killing of the boys. But the inmates revealed that the boys were brought to the cell and removed the following day.
    On this note, the disbandment is only a step to address the challenges associated with policing in Nigeria.
    It is widely believed that only a genuine police reform would address this quagmire. The recent events have reinforced debates why previous attempts on police reform in Nigeria have not produced adequate results.
    It will be recalled that between 2006 and 2012, three committees were constituted to recommend measures for the reform of the Nigeria Police Force. This is outside another reform initiative to develop a public security strategy established during the tenure of Caleb Olubolade as Minister of Police Affairs(2011-2014).
    The key recommendations offered by these three presidential committees are: reorganisation of police divisions and units;  rationalisation of ranks to reduce the hierarchical structure in the force; raising the entry qualification of junior officers; decentralization of administration and devolution of powers to commanders at the zonal, state, area and divisional command levels; upgrading the police academy to a degree awarding institution; providing adequate funding and equipment.
    Others are improving training through better facilities, trainers and curricula; reorganising the Mobile Police Force; enhancing enumeration; adapting and adopting a community policing framework relevant to the country; improving relations between the police and the public; prioritising capacity development in the areas of intelligence, investigation, forensics, prosecution, and information management; improving performance and discipline; establishment of police associations and collective bargaining system; and improving the effectiveness of the Police Council through regular meetings and renewed commitment to the responsibility conferred on it by the Constitution.
    Nigerians may have gained a victory by the recent disbandment of SARS but there are still miles to cover in our quest to achieve an improved policing in the country. Some of the solutions lie in the adequate implementation of some of the recommendations offered by the police reform committees. Until then, we will continue to toy with multiple experiments.

  • F-SARS dissolution, proof democracy has come to stay — Lagos Speaker

    F-SARS dissolution, proof democracy has come to stay — Lagos Speaker

    Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has lauded Federal Government’s dissolution of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS), describing the decision as proof that democracy has come to stay.

    Obasa, in a statement in Lagos on Monday, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for hearkening to the cries of the people and ensuring their immediate wish was met with the disbandment of the police unit.

    Recall that the Lagos State House of Assembly had on Friday adopted a seven-point resolution, one of which was that F-SARS be scrapped.

    The Lagos lawmakers had also called on the National Assembly to immediately commence a probe into the allegations of inhuman treatments meted out to innocent Nigerians by the personnel of the disbanded police unit.

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday announced the dissolution of F-SARS and added that other reforms would be announced soon.

    Obasa commended those who took to the streets in the state for their civility while the protests lasted.

    The speaker said it was commendable that the protesters carried out their agitations with utmost respect for the authorities and without acts of vandalism.

    He said: “It is a win-win for the country and a proof that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is prepared to listen to the yearnings of the people where they matter.

    “A special commendation goes to Nigerians, who expressed their grievances peacefully for days.

    “As the country awaits more police reforms as announced by the IGP, we plead with the masses to remain calm.

    Obasa urged the protesters to go about their activities peacefully and continue to be good citizens of the country. 

  • BREAKING: IGP scraps SARS nationwide

    BREAKING: IGP scraps SARS nationwide

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has announced the dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).He made the announcement around 1.30 pm at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He said the police unit is dissolved across all formations, the 36 state commands, and the Federal Capital Territory.

    He said officers and men currently serving in the unit are to be redeployed with immediate effect. He said new policing arrangements to address the offences of armed robbery and other violent crimes will be presented in due course.

    Details shortly…

  • Wizkid drags President Buhari over SARS

    Wizkid drags President Buhari over SARS

    International act, Wizkid has taken to the microblogging platform to called out Nigerian President, Muhammad Buhari for overlooking the menacingly killings and brutality caused by SARS.

    The confrontation came after the president Buhari wished American president, Donald Trump a quick recovery after contracting the deadly virus on October 1st.

    Read more: Wizkid makes Obama’s 2020 summer playlist

    The president tweeted;
    ”I wish US President, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, quick and full recovery from Covid-19.”

    Replying to the president, Wizkid wrote;

    ”’Donald Trump is not your business! Old man! Police/Sarz still killing Nigerian youth on a daily! Do something! Nothing concern u for America! Face your country !!”

  • Omo-Agege condemns alleged atrocities of SARS

    Omo-Agege condemns alleged atrocities of SARS

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has expressed dismay over the alleged atrocious activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Police in Delta.

    Omo-Agege gave the expression in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Sunday.

    He expressed concern over the alleged incessant cases of extrajudicial killings and harassment of defenceless citizen by men of SARS.

    He also expressed worry that some officials attached to SARS in different parts of Nigeria were harassing defenceless citizens.

    Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate cited the alleged shooting of a man by operatives of SARS in his constituency in Ughelli, Delta for alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone.

    According to him, there is another shooting of a youth in the town by men of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’ over the victim’s alleged refusal to also allow the operatives to search his phone.

    This, Omo-Agege said, buttress his argument on the need for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of security units in the country.

    Read more: Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS

    The senator called on the police authorities to fish out the culprits for the prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.

    While calling on security personnel to always maintain the rules of engagement, the lawmaker urged youth in the area to exercise utmost restraint while investigation is ongoing.

    “Those who are authorised to carry arms and maintain law and order in the country ought to understand that such must be exercised with responsibility, especially when human life is sacrosanct.

    “I hope those, who are quick at pulling the trigger, would adopt strategies that would foster mutual understanding between them and those they are tasked to protect.

    “It would be a depressing twist of fate for them to be listed among those contributing to the list of the dead in this challenging period globally,’’ Omo-Agege said.

  • Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS

    Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says he is concerned and angry that young men and women who are arrested, are in some cases, maimed or killed by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement, said the Vice President expressed this view on Sunday in Abuja.

    The Inspector-General of Police (IG-P), Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday banned the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.

    The Vice President, who had earlier, held a meeting with the I-G at his residence, said the President and himself had discussed the matter on a number of occasions.

    He said that the President was displeased about reports on activities of FSARS and was resolved to ensure reforms.

    “Such violations are completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians.

    “The arrest, maiming or killing of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong.

    “It is unlawful and illegal and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted.

    “Today, I had a meeting with the I-G and we reviewed several of these issues.

    “The President is very concerned about it; he wants to see a reform.

    “You are probably aware that the I-G has issued a statement looking at all these issues, in particular, the warning against the use of these tactical units such as SARS for purposes of doing anything other than anti-robbery.

    “For example, he specifically said that you cannot have a situation where SARS says they are investigating cybercrime by arresting young men and women carrying their laptops and phones.

    “Cybercrime is an electronic crime.

    “I don’t see how you can investigate that by seizing people’s phones in a taxi or in their cars,’’ Osinbajo said.

    He said it was obvious that a few bad eggs in the Police were causing all of the problems because it was all over the place, in different states.

    Osinbajo said that the I-G’s statement, banning FSARS and others, was the first step.

    “He has said clearly that police men must wear police uniforms.

    “You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing and be armed.’’

    By dressing casually, the vice president said that people “can’t even tell the difference between robbers and the police if you are not properly dressed in police uniform.

    “So, clearly, a reform is in the offing’’.

    “So, I will like to encourage civil society activists, young men and women, who bring this regularly, by the way, to the attention of government and the police.

    Read more: Two FSARS operatives, civilian accomplice arrested in Lagos for extortion and intimidation of citizens

    Osinbajo also said that activism was important because “they have been able to bring a lot of these issues to the attention of the Police and government.

    “And that is an important part of the process of the reform’’.

    He said that the Federal Government would ensure that every one of those allegations against FSARS was properly investigated.

    According to him, those found responsible will be prosecuted and publicised so that people will know that prosecution has taken place.

    “I am very confident that we will have a reformed police force and that process has already begun’’.

  • #Revolutionnow convener, Sowore announces nationwide protest to end SARS

    #Revolutionnow convener, Sowore announces nationwide protest to end SARS

    Convener of #revolutionnow, Omoyele Sowore, has announced that there will be a nationwide protest against the ill-treatment of the operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) against young Nigerians.

    Sowore made this known on twitter on Sunday, October 4.

    In his tweet, he said, ”We are going to have a massive nationwide action for #EndSARS who is on board?”

    He disclosed the locations to be Police state head quarters in Lagos and Abuja.

    He wrote, ”Locations: @PoliceNG state headquarters in Lagos. Lagos has the most brutal longest-running killer #SARS in Nigeria @PoliceNGForce Headquarters in Abuja and all State Police Hqs will by fully #Occupy until SARS is disbanded and totally dismantled! #RevolutionNow @AmnestyNigeria”

    Meanwhile, Daybreak reports that some politicians and Nigerian celebrities have reacted to gruesome killing of Nigerians by SARS.

    In a tweet on Saturday, October 3, Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, described the killings as disheartening.

  • BREAKING: IGP bans SARS from stop-and-search, routine patrols

    BREAKING: IGP bans SARS from stop-and-search, routine patrols

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad from routine patrols.

    He also banned and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad, Intelligence Response Team, Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal, and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols.

    They were also banned from conducting other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect.

    In addition, no personnel of the Force is authorised to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti.

    They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear.

    The statement said,”Specifically, the IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.

    ” They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.

    “The IGP notes that the FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country.

    “He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads.

    “He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers on the road.

    “They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force.

    “The IGP has equally warned, that henceforth, the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR).

    “He therefore charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction.

    “Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.

    “The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.”

  • IPOB members allegedly kill SARS officer in Rivers

    IPOB members allegedly kill SARS officer in Rivers

    Some unknown men have killed a Police Officer attached to the Special Anti-robbery Squad, SARS, headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, whose name was not ascertained at press time.

    It was alleged that the killers were members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who had vowed that there was no going back on the sit-at-home order on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

    According to the punch, the victim was on special duty at Oyigbo Local Government Area on Wednesday ahead of the independence day celebration, but was killed while looking for what to eat in the area around 9:30 pm. It was gathered that the hoodlums who saw him and felt he was coming after them arrested and took him to a bush path where he was killed.

    However, the incident has since sparked unease in the area as more police officers were sighted moving into the area on a possible manhunt of the killers. Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP. Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the incident noted that the details were still sketchy at press time.

    Omoni in a pre-Independence Day statement warned hoodlums acting in the guise of proscribed IPOB members to stay off the state or face the full wrath of the law, revealing that the command had made adequate deployment to curtail activities of miscreants in the area.

  • Wike calls for dissolution of SARS after brutal killing in Rivers

    Wike calls for dissolution of SARS after brutal killing in Rivers

    The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has urged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to urgently dissolve the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police.

    Wike said this as a result of another alleged extrajudicial murder of Daniel Ikeaguchi, aka Sleek by policemen in Rivers state.

    According to the Vanguard, Daniel, a 22-year-old musician, was shot dead by alleged Anti Kidnapping operatives in Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt on Saturday, sparking a wave of protests two days after by angry youths demanding justice for the slain musician.

    Sources narrated that Daniel and his friend were waiting outside a hotel for a rental car to convey them to a destination when men of the Police Anti-Robbery Unit confronted them.

    The source further said, “They were unarmed, nothing incriminating about them, but out of sheer fear of being arrested, the duo took to their heels. Following a chase that ensued, a riot policeman at De Topic Supermarket shot the musician. Elder sister to the victim, Maureen Ikeagwuchi, said, “The way they were parading with his body bleeding all over, instead of taking him to the hospital is inhuman. I want them to face the law. We want justice.”

    Governor Wike in response had twitted, “The brutal killing of a young vibrant man in Port Harcourt by men of the SARS unit of @PoliceNG is unacceptable, we have and will continue to clamour for the reformation or outright dissolution of SARS because they have become a menace to the society. #EndSARS.”

    Meanwhile, Rivers Command of the Nigerian Police in an update through Spokesman, SP Namdi Omoni has said the police operatives involved in the incident have been arrested and being investigated.

    Omoni in a statement said, “Leader of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on patrol along Elelenwo took one Daniel Ikeaguchi with Sgt Isaiah Ben attached to 35 PMF Jigawa but on guard duty at an Estate in Elelenwo, who allegedly shot the deceased to the Elelenwo Police Station.

    “On the receipt of the report, the DPO, CSP Chima Nnaji immediately ordered that the boy who was bleeding be taken to the hospital, but he eventually died and was deposited at the UPTH Mortuary.

    “The DPO after preliminary Investigation transferred the Sergeant and the four Policemen from Anti-Kidnapping to the State CID for further investigation. They are still being interrogated.”

    RELATED POST:

    WIKE: THE EMERGING CHAMPION OF THE SOUTH SOUTH REGION

    Wike: The Emerging Champion Of The South South Region

    Edo 2020: Rivers Senate caucus warns against any harm to Wike