The Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, has reiterated that the Nigerian Police Force has no plans to reinstate the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which was disbanded last year.
The Nigeria Police spokesman, Frank Mba revealed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement was a reaction to reports on social media that the attempts have been made by the police to reintroduce SARS.
SARS, which was considered deadly as a result of their brutal methods and practices was disbanded by the then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, after a series of EndSARS protests by youths across Nigeria.
As a replacement of the dreaded unit, the police created a new outfit known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).
According to the statement by Mba, SARS has been disbanded and will not be reinstated for any reason whatsoever. He also urged Nigerians to disregard such reports.
The statement reads:
“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 Nigerans 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.
