The Inspector General of police, Mohammed Adamu has banned the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the police from carrying out routine patrols in the country.
“All FSARS, STS, IRT & other Tactical Police Squads operating at Federal, Zonal & Command levels are hereby BANNED from carrying out routine patrols & other conventional low-risk duties – stop & search duties, checkpoints, roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT,” Adamu said in a statement.
“Henceforth, no police personnel is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. All Police Force personnel must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear.”
The ban came after the reported shooting of a youth in Ugheli area of Delta State on Saturday by a yet to be identified security personnel alleged to be a SARS personnel.
In recent years, officials the SARS unit of the police have been in a public bad light for harassment, illegal arrest and extortion of citizens, especially youths.
There have also been cases of extrajudicial killings by some officials attached to SARS in different parts of Nigeria.
The protests tagged #WarOnSARS #EndSARS had Nigerians, mostly youths and popular musicians like Davido, Wizkid, Olamide and others have also protested while others share their bitter experiences in the hands of police officers.
