Ibrahim Idris

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate reorganization the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the force to ensure that the unit operates with integrity and under the rule of law.

IGP’s directive is coming on the heels of the recent calls for the proscription of SARS whose operatives have been accused of high-handedness and maltreatment of innocent Nigerians.

In a statement released on Monday, Idris also ordered immediate investigations of alleged crimes of torture and extortion leveled against the personnel of the anti-robbery squad.

The statement read: “The IGP has ordered the immediate re-organization of SARS nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions leveled against the personnel of the squad across the country by the IGP X-squad of the Force.

 

The statement added that under the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police would head the Special Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide while the zonal commands, state commands and divisions would continue to operate anti-crime sections, crime prevention and control squads and detect crimes and criminal activities in their areas of responsibilities.

While maintaining that operatives of SARS have been performing very well in crime prevention and control in the country, the IGP called on aggrieved members of the public with complains of rights violation by any SARS personnel in to report such through established channels for investigation.