SARS banned from conducting stop and search operations
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been banned from conducting stop and search operations on roads by the police IG, Ibrahim Idris. This is according to a report by Lindaikeji quoting the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Some group of Nigerians recently on social media, called for the scrapping of SARS over alleged harassment of innocent Nigerians, using the #EndSARS.
Following the allegation, the Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, promised to restructure and reposition the unit for effective service delivery. Idris also warned members of the group against acting as body-guards, delving into land matters and debt collection that were considered civil.
He further warned that members of the unit must only embark on operations with the permission of the commissioner of police in charge of SARS in the police commands.
“You must operate in official uniform clearly marked for identification. I just want to warn you all here that any officer caught engaging in these activities will be dealt with accordingly. The Nigeria Police force under my leadership shall operate strictly guided by the human rights principles as enshrined in the United Nations charter on human rights” he said.
The police boss He mandated the Inspector-General of police’s monitoring units and the X-squad and other over sights unit of the force to monitor the activities of the SARS. The police boss noted that the establishment of the unit was due to activities of the men of the underworld.