The Northern Governors Forum has debunked allegations that they want the return of the scrapped Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The chairman of the forum and the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong refuted the allegations in Jos while inaugurating the state judicial panel of Inquiry.
According to him, there is no way the Northern Governors will call for the resurrection of an already scrapped SARS as approved by the President and announced by the Inspector General of Police.
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According to him” what I and my colleagues have emphasized was the need for deeper and wholistic reform of the entire policing architecture in the country. “
“We are of the opinion that despite the condemnable atrocities by some members of the dissolved SARS, there are some among them that were good and performed their duties diligently, and as such there should not be blanket condemnation.”
What we also pointed out was the fact that some Northern States benefited significantly from the disbanded SARS in the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.”
” I wish to reiterate my deep personal support for the agitation of a wholistic reform of the policing architecture which has commenced with the scrapping of SARS. As Governor, I will also continue to advocate for further reforms towards the rapid implementation of community policing for which I have strongly advocated for.”
