The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says there is a need for the Federal Government to carry out a judicial investigation into the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police.
Samson Ayokunle, President of CAN in a statement on Tuesday stated that such investigation would help to bring the culprits to book so that such bad eggs might not be allowed to corrupt other units or continue with their old habit of lawlessness.
In the statement issued by Bayo Oladeji, Media Assistant to the CAN President, Ayokunle also faulted the deployment of the officers and men of the disbanded unit to other units without sanctioning the bad eggs among them.
“We call for an Administrative or Judicial Investigation into the disbanded SARS with a view to bringing the culprits to book so that such bad eggs might not be allowed to corrupt other units or continue with their old habit of lawlessness.”
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for being sensitive and responsive to the clarion call for the disbanding of SARS, the CAN President said he was aware of the circumstances that led to the agitation.
“We are aware of the circumstances that led to the agitation which included but not limited to alleged extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrests and detentions, extortion, tortures, and disappearances of detainees,” he said.
“CAN acknowledges the spontaneous nature of protest nationwide but regrets the loss of lives and the destruction of some property in the cause of the mass actions. We ask God to console and comfort all the bereaved as He heals those who are recuperating in the hospitals.”
He said the prompt and positive responses of the Federal Government in disbanding SARS were unprecedented in the recent history of our country and it is praiseworthy.
“This is what democracy is all about.”
He called on all the security agencies to be reformed and transformed into a modern security architecture that befits the contemporary challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and herdsmen attacks.
“Uniformed men and women should cherish the rare opportunity the country gave them and the trust of handling the security of the nation by behaving responsibly. They should make us be proud of them.”
