By James Orji
Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman is said to be planning to revived the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a notorious unit of the Nigeria Police Force, which was disbanded last year after #EndSARS protests, according to Sahara Reporters.
The federal government was forced to disband the unit following accusations that it engaged in extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses.
The online medium said it obtained a statement in which the IGP detailed a new mode of operations and rule of engagement for SARS.
The online newspaper quoted the statement purportedly from the IGP thus, “No SARS personnel is allowed to interface in any civil matter. They are not allowed to interfere in cybercrime (yahoo yahoo).
“No SARS personnel is allowed to conduct a stop and search exercise unless there is a distress call from victims or members of the public.
“They are not allowed to be involved in commercial matters, debt recovery, (landlord vs tenant issues).
“They are not allowed to interfere in any social/relationship cases (marital matters, boyfriend/girlfriend relationship). They are strictly for armed robbery and kidnapping cases!”
The statement further urged the citizens to report cases of harassment by any of its officials to designated telephone numbers.
Last October, many Nigerians, mostly youths thronged major cities in the country to demand probe and disbandment of the notorious SARS. The federal government acceded to the demand and later formed the Special Weapons and Tactics Team. The magazine, however, learnt that clandestine efforts are being made to bring back the unit to combat the spate of insecurity and violence rocking many parts of the country.
Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, said in a statement there was no plan to reinstate SAR. He urged the Public to disregard the report, adding that it’s a deliberate plot to defame the Nigerian Police.
