The Nigeria Police Force has refuted speculations that its notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been resuscitated with a new reformed set of rules.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this early Monday morning.
He was reacting to claims on the social media that operatives of special tactical squads now being set up by state police commands to tackle different types of crimes are behaving like personnel of the notorious SARS squad.
“There are tactical squads created by various states to fight crimes and criminality, but not the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS. Not at all.
“Every of these state tactical squads has its mark of identification and uniform. Their operatives are responsible to their cps and answerable for their actions and inactions,” said the Force PRO.
Adejobi affirmed that the SARS squad which was disbanded in 2020 following massive #EndSARS protests across the country by Nigerian youths over notoriety of its operatives has not been resuscitated
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was disbanded on the 11th of October 2020, remains dissolved.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is not back in operation.
“The recent information regarding SARS reformation and rules of engagement should be treated with caution.
“Nigerians are encouraged to verify the source of any information before accepting it as true,” Adejobi said while advising Nigerians to follow the various police social media handles to get accurate information about the law enforcement agency.
Also, Adejobi said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun will take up the complaints of the public against operatives of the Special Tactical Squads at his meeting with top echelon of the Force today.
He said “The IGP has a meeting with the CPs and above today, Monday, and this will be included on his agenda. The CPs are to control their activities, and we hope this will be addressed once this time around.
“At times, we feel concerned about some complaints we receive at the Force Headquarters.
“The IGP has empowered the cps and AIGs to take up complaints and act appropriately.
“If it warrants dismissal, they have been empowered to carry on, in line with our laid down procedures. We will never neglect any infractions.”
