The dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) drew wide acclaim on Sunday.
The excesses of some members of the unit, set up to tackle armed robbery and kidnapping, sparked nationwide protests and global outrage on social media with the #ENDSARS trending for several days.
The Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu announced the dissolution of the controversial outfit during a briefing at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
“The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a former Lagos Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice President Monday Ubani were among those who hailed the decision.
The IG said the decision follows “a review of the current developments, and in due cognisance of the wide and legitimately held concerns of well-meaning citizens on the existence and operations of SARS as a responsive and citizens-oriented police force”.
Adamu said the police stands dissolved across all formations, the 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Officers and men currently serving in the unit are to be redeployed with immediate effect.
According to him, new policing arrangements to address armed robbery and other violent crimes will be announced in due course.
“As part of measures to prevent a re-occurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a Citizens’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum is being formed to regularly interface with Police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public.
“The Force is constituting an Investigation Team which shall include Civil Society Organisations and human rights bodies to work with the Police in investigating alleged cases of human rights violations.
“The current development in which cross-sections of Nigerians are calling for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad as a unit in the Nigeria Police Force has remained under constant monitoring and due assessment by the government.
“The government acknowledges the inalienable rights of citizens to freedom of association and expression.
“The current agitation, in this context, is seen as a manifestation of the natural desire of citizens to participate in matters concerning policing and internal security in the nation.
“This is indeed one of the fundamental principles of community policing, which we are currently implementing.
“The Nigeria Police leadership has, since the commencement of the protests, been engaging the leadership of some Civil Society Organisations to initiate meaningful and wide-ranging discussions on the subjects of their concern.
“Our valued covenant with the citizens of this nation is to serve and protect them and integrate their concerns and views into our practices, especially within the dictates of community policing principles, which constitute a critical component of the National Policing and Internal Security Strategy of the Federal Government.
“I commend the vast majority of men and women of the Nigeria Police who are diligently going about their duties, guided by the dictates of the rule of law, honour and professionalism.
“I encourage them to sustain their sense of national service, sacrifice, patriotism and commitment to crime-fighting.
“Their gallant efforts to ensure the safety of the lives and property of all Nigerians are very much appreciated.
“I also commend all citizens that have voiced their genuine concerns for a better policing orientation in an organised, patriotic, and civil manner.”
Shortly after the announcement, protesters at the Force Headquarters were dispersed with hot water and tear gas.
The protesters, who were not allowed to get close to the gate of the police headquarters as previous days, remained despite the announcement, insisting that everyone arrested for their participation in the protest nationwide must be released.
It was a chaotic atmosphere as gunshots rent the air.
Dozens of armed policemen approached the protesters, shooting at them with hot water from a cannon and tear gas as the protesters scampered for safety.
Some of them were arrested; a number of them sustained injuries in the pandemonium.
Lawan praised President Buhari for listening to the voice of the Nigerians in ordering the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
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