Nigeria’s government on Sunday announced the disbandment of the notorious police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or Sars.
Campaigners mobilized citizens to stage a protest that spread across the world and gathered huge support.
Citizens have been calling for an end to police brutalities using the hashtag #EndSARS to share stories of their experiences.
The hashtag #EndSARS trended globally on Twitter following reports of alleged killing of a young man by officers from the SARS unit in the city of Lagos.
The country’s Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had earlier before the weekend banned personnel from the unit and other tactical squads from carrying out routine patrols.
But with protests spreading across the world, the government announced the eventual disbandment of the police unit.
PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE: The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force @PoliceNG has been dissolved WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
The Inspector General of Police will communicate further developments in this regard.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 11, 2020
Officers in the Sars squad are accused of unlawful arrests, torture and murder.
There are many who are not happy that officers from the unit will be redeployed to other units.
They want officers who engage in brutalities to be punished to serve as deterrent.
Nigeria’s chief of police has however assured that a team of investigators would be set up to investigate alleged abuses by Sars.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
