Campaigners reject police ‘re-organisation’ of SARS

Anti-SARS campaigners have rejected the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, for the reorganisation of the embattled anti-robbery department, saying “it is a measure a little too late.”
Idris issued the directive yesterday afternoon for all police commissioners to cease issuing orders to SARS operatives at state level across the country, three days after Nigerians flooded the social media with grievous allegations of criminal conducts by SARS personnel.
“Under the new arrangement, SARS officers will now be controlled by officers between the ranks of a superintendent of police and chief superintendent of police at state level,” according to details of the directive distributed by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, yesterday afternoon.
“A commissioner of police will have the overall supervision of the department from the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“The squad has also been moved from Force Criminal Investigation Department to Department of Operations. All changes are effective immediately,” Moshood said.
All complaints against SARS officers will be investigated and errant officers will face disciplinary action, the directive promised.
But Segun Awosanya, one of the lead campaigners, against alleged infractions by SARS, welcomed the move, but said it fell short at satisfying their demand.
“We thank the IGP for at least showing that he has the ears of the masses,” Awosanya told Premium Times by telephone yesterday afternoon.
“But he should realise that the police cannot be the judge in its own case and this matter is beyond him,” he said.
Awosanya said Nigerians had long suffered a myriad of brutal assaults by SARS personnel, and, therefore, nothing but an absolute closure would make up for its alleged atrocities.
“Based on all the evidence we’ve gathered over the years, it’s very clear that SARS cannot be redeemed. You can’t just reshuffle men whose only approach to policing is brutality and expect them to change overnight.”
“A new special squad that would tackle armed robbery should be formed and new personnel with modern training be put in charge.”
Awosanya and his team met with Speaker Yakubu Dogara in September to submit a petition which contained alleged abuses by SARS operatives.

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