The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has commended the lnspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu for listening to the outcry of Nigerians by disbanding the ‘murderous’ Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that has terrorized the populace. It is a welcome development in the nation’s efforts toward effective policing.
IPAC said it is unfortunate that operatives of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who ought to channel their energy to the fight against armed robbery and kidnapping would turn their rifles against unarmed citizens particularly youths.
“To them, all Nigerian youths are suspects dehumanizing them. They threw professionalism and decency to the wind and allowed themselves to be used by the highest bidder to settle scores including family issues while armed robbers, kidnappers, rituals, bandits and Boko Haram terrorise fellow compatriots,” Dr Leonard Nzenwa, National Chairman of IPAC said in a statement.
He said “Police brutality and killings escalated across the country which necessitated the nationwide protests to #EndSARS. Thousands of Nigerians are languishing in various Police cells for crimes they know nothing about as if Nigeria is a Police state.
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“It is a big relief that this long national nightmare is over. All the SARS operatives involved in brutality and killing of innocent citizens should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”
IPAC however, urged Police authorities to come up with a professional, disciplined, proactive, patriotic, human, people-oriented anti-robbery squad, conscious of the fact that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, in tandem with Section 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“We have no doubt that the Inspector General of Police is equal to the task of building an effective Police Force that the nation will be proud of. We also urge the National Assembly to further amend the Police Act to meet international standards,” the statement added.
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