By Ovie Okpare
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has hailed the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, over allegation of brutality and intimidation of young Nigerians by its operatives.
PANDEF said SARS operatives virtually became terror gang responsible for the killings and harassment of Nigerian people especially the youths.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon. Ken Robinson, on Sunday while reacting to the public dissolution of the unit.
PANDEF, the umbrella body for leaders of the various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region, charged President Muhammadu Buhari and IGP Adamu to also quickly attend to other troubling security issues in the country.
The statement emphasised that the issues raised by young protesting Nigerians against operatives of the unit must be addressed and should not end with mere dissolution of the unit.
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It read, “Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has welcomed the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu. Describing the action as a positive detour from the established “unheeding” tendency of the Buhari administration.
“They heeded the uproar of citizens against SARS, and for once, acted promptly in disbanding the Special Squad, whose personnel went off their duty lines and core mandate of combating armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country. And virtually became a terror gang; with disturbing reports of their wanton misdeeds, particularly against young people, across the country.
“We are in a constitutional democracy, and therefore, citizens illegitimate and valid opinions and concerns ought to be given attention to by the government. We therefore commend Mr. President and the Inspector General of Police for the timely response to the “End SARS Now” campaign. We hope that other troubling issues in the country would also receive such quick and positive attention. And that it was not because the daughters of Mr. President and his Vice also added their voice to the campaign.”
The pan socio group commended the resilience of the Nigerian youths who came out en mass to kick against the continued maltreatment of their colleagues by operatives charged to protect them and their property.
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“PANDEF further earnestly commends the courage and resilience of young Nigerians who peacefully expressed their anger in protests across major cities of the country over the harassment, extortion and brutality of the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, leading to the dissolution of the Special Squad.
“Recall that PANDEF had earlier, in solidarity with the protesting young people, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate disbandment of SARS.
“We call on Mr. President and the Inspector General Police to ensure that the process does not end with mere dissolution of the infamous Special Squad; all germane complaints against personnel of the disbanded SARS must be thoroughly investigated, and those found culpable should be made to face the full wrath of the law, to serve as a warning to others.
“The reference of a Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Forum to regularly interface with Police leadership at all levels, may be a good idea. However, the fundamental necessity now, in the face of the daunting insecurity in the country and reckless misconduct of security personnel, particularly the Police, is a comprehensive reform of the beleaguered Nigeria Police, and a complete overhaul of the nation’s security architecture” the statement added.
