By Admin
A human rights and advocacy group, Police Brutality and Human Rights Advocacy (PBHRA) in Nigeria has thumbed up the decision of the Federal Government to scrap the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
PBHRA in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, dated 12th October, 2020 made available to our correspondent, reads; “we write to remind you of our letter dated 15th July 2020 and 7th October, 2020 which are centered on the reform of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the call cautioning you over your position to clampdown peaceful protesters by your directives as led to various police commissioners acted unprofessionally against protesters across Nigeria.
“It should be noted that none of our letter was honoured by you, however, we are proud of the #EndSARS protesters who put aside fears and exercise their constitutional rights which led to scrapping of Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the establishment of the introduction of Special Weapons And Tactics Team (SWAT).
“We, therefore, call on the Establishment of Capacity Building Department In All State Commands which should be given the mandate to train the men of the Nigeria Police that will be deployed into SWAT department as that will not let the SWAT be infiltrated with bad eggs.”
Nigerian government on October 11, 2020 dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at the centre of protests against police brutality.
The government in a statement said a special presidential directive had ordered the immediate dissolution of SARS. Protests against the squad were sparked by a video of a man allegedly being killed by police. The demonstrations have intensified despite a crackdown and have spread outside the country.
Police authorities established SWAT in October 2020 to replace the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the force.
