Breaking: Osinbajo orders overhaul of SARS

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered the immediate overhaul of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) bringing to an end campaign to #EndSARS.

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TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement signed by Osinbajo’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande.

According to the statement, a reformation of the NPF and investigation of alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress are also on the way.

“Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Acting-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria has directed the Inspector General of Police, to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any Unit that will emerge from the process, will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.

“The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging Unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Humanitarian Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.

“In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Committee that will conduct nation-wide investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress,” the statement read.

Reacting to the development, #EndSARS campaign Chief, Segun Awosanya said “The Devil is in the details. The implementation of the order is key.

“We will remain vigilant as we press on to ensure effective monitoring. Humans are weakest at the point of success but we must understand that success by itself is a journey and a destination”.