Tinubu Brought Back SARS? BARELY 4 Years After #EndSARS Protest, NPF Speaks On Return Of SARS
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has refuted recent claims that the disbanded Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) has returned to the streets. This clarification follows a viral social media post suggesting that SARS had been reformed with new rules of engagement.
In an official statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the NPF spokesperson, reaffirmed that SARS remains permanently disbanded. He urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and verify any such claims through the police’ s official communication channels.
” The Special Anti- Robbery Squad, which was disbanded on the 11th of October 2020, remains dissolved, ” Adejobi stated. ” SARS is not back in operation. The recent information regarding SARS reformation and rules of engagement should be treated with caution. Nigerians are encouraged to verify the source of any information before accepting it as true. ”
SARS was officially dissolved on 11 October 2020, by Adamu Mohammed, the then Inspector- General of Police, following nationwide protests under the #EndSARS movement. The movement, led primarily by Nigerian youths, was a response to years of alleged police brutality, extortion, unlawful arrests, torture, and extra- judicial killings carried out by SARS officers.
The mass protests, which lasted for weeks, forced the Nigerian government to take action. Following the dissolution of SARS, the police authorities announced a restructuring process and the creation of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit as a replacement.
Recently, a viral post circulated online, claiming that SARS had been reinstated under new guidelines. The post alleged that the unit’ s personnel had been assigned fresh rules of engagement, including non- interference in civil disputes and cybercrime cases. This sparked concerns among Nigerians, many of whom fear that elements of SARS may have been secretly reinstated under different names or units.
However, Adejobi dismissed the claims, urging Nigerians to rely on verified sources for credible information regarding police activities.
Despite the dissolution of SARS, reports of police brutality and misconduct have persisted. Many Nigerians remain sceptical about the sincerity of the police reforms, as incidents of human rights violations by officers continue to surface.
Civil society groups have repeatedly called for greater transparency and accountability in law enforcement. Activists argue that while SARS may no longer exist in name, some of its former officers may still be engaging in misconduct under other police units.
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The police authorities have assured the public of their commitment to professionalism and respect for human rights. However, as concerns over security and policing in Nigeria remain high, many citizens continue to demand stronger reforms and better oversight of law enforcement agencies.
