The Guardian (Nigeria)

At ‘End SARS’ campaign, youths preach fixing, reform of unit

- By Odita Sunday

THE Nigerian police yesterday urged Nigerians to join the partnershi­p to reform and reposition the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) to conform to internatio­nal best practice.

The call was made at the event co-hosted with pop music star, Korede Bello, which scores of youths and senior officers of the Nigeria police attended.

According to the representa­tive of the Inspector General of police at the event, AIG in charge of Zone 2, Ibrahim Adamu, the event would further strengthen the communicat­ion between the police and the public.

“We are happy with this partnershi­p. The police is not a perfect organizati­on, we would continue to communicat­e with members of the public to strengthen the force.”

He reminded the audience that four policemen attached to SARS were dismissed few weeks ago by his office, urging Nigerians to continue to report irrational treatments by the plain-clothed outfit.

According to him, “no father would be happy to charge his own child to court, but I did it few weeks ago. It was not easy, but I dismissed four officers from SARS for the crimes they committed and I did not stop at that, I charged them to court. We are not treating the excesses of SARS personnel with kid gloves. We need the support of Nigerians to address the challenges.”

The event is an initiative of Korede Bello, aimed at ensuring Police Accountabi­lity after some Nigerians staged a nationwide protest to end the Special Anti-robbery Squad, (SARS), a department of the Nigeria Police Force, that has been accused of recklessne­ss and brutality against Nigerians.

Police image-maker, Jimoh Moshood, who was at the event, commended the Korede Bello Initiative for Police Accountabi­lity reassured Nigerians that the reform of the Special Anti-robbery Squad would soon yield positive results.

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