The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has ordered the immediate overhaul of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The directive, according to a statement by his media aide, Laolu Akande, followed the persistent complaints and reports on the activities of SARS that violates human rights.
Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, I have directed the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS. pic.twitter.com/xliQS1CRBN
— Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) August 14, 2018
He gave the following directives to that effect:
An immediate overhaul of the management and activities of SARS
Ensure 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.
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 bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.
* National Human Rights Commission is to set up a Special Panel to conduct an investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS.
