The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has commended the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, for listening to the outcry of Nigerians by disbanding Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The National Chairman, IPAC, Dr Leonard Nzenwa in a press statement issued in Abuja on Monday described the ban as a welcome development.
He said though, it is unfortunate that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad who ought to channel their energy to the fight against armed robbery and kidnapping, turned their riffles against unarmed citizens particularly youths.
“To them all Nigerian youths are suspects dehumanizing them. They threw professionalism and decency to the wind and allowed themselves to be used by the highest bidder to settle scores including family issues while armed robbers, kidnappers, rituals, bandits and Boko Haram terrorise fellow compatriots.
“Police brutality and killings escalated across the country which necessitated the nationwide protests to #EndSARSNow#. Thousands of Nigerians are languishing in various Police cells for crimes they know nothing about as if Nigeria is a Police state.
“It is a big relief that this long national nightmare is over. All the SARS operatives involved in brutality and killing of innocent citizens should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
“IPAC urges Police authorities to come up with a professional, disciplined, proactive, patriotic, human, people-oriented anti-robbery squad, conscious of the fact that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”, in tandem with Section 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“We have no doubt that the Inspector General of Police is equal to the task of building an effective Police Force that the nation will be proud of. We also urge the National Assembly to further amend the Police Act to meet international standards,” he said.
