Osinbajo Orders IGP Idris To Overhaul SARS With Immediate Effect

IGP and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, has given the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, a marching order to “overhaul the management and activities” of the Police unit the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), with immediate effect.

The Acting President's order was informed by series of complaints from Nigerians on social media, with video and pictorial evidences, accusing SARS officers of several misconducts ranging from harassment, extortion, assault to extra-judicial killings.

Mr. Laolu Akande, the media aide to the Acting President, in a statement said Professor Osinbajo has ordered the IGP to shut down that unit of the Nigeria Police Force with immediate effect.

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The statement from the acting President  as made available by the media aide reads;

“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 Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects.

“The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.

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“In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Special Panel that will conduct an 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.”

Related Topics: #IbrahimIdris, #Osinbajo, #EndSARS, #PVCIsaGoal, #FreeSamuelOgundipe

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