“We Want SARS Back” – Nigerian Governors

“We Want SARS Back” – Nigerian Governors

Northern governors in Nigeria have rejected the disbandment of SARS, the defunct Police unit accused of extrajudicial killings and extortion of youths.

The state governors under the aegis of the Northern governors forum insisted the elite police unit was helpful in combating violent crimes and insecurity in the Northern region of the country.

Governors of the 19 northern states in Nigeria on Thursday met President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja and rejected the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong told State House correspondents after the meeting with the President that the police unit has been useful in the fight against insecurity in the region.

“SARS is not made up of bad elements alone as it also includes personnel who are doing their work diligently,” he said.

Lalong said what is needed is the reformation of the unit to enable it to discharge its functions “optimally”.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday announced the disbandment of SARS following nationwide protests against alleged human rights violations by the unit.

10 people have died in Nigeria’s ongoing protests over police brutality, Amnesty International says

But the protests continued as the #EndSARS campaigners demanded the prosecution of all officers named in cases of rights abuses.

The protests have spread across the country and have persisted for days.

Read More: End Police Brutality: IPAN Highlights Power of Unity 

The police leadership has promised reforms, setting up a new unit named — Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) but protesters largely youths have rejected the move hinting that it amounted to an old wine a new bottle.

The EndSARS protesters have insisted on total police reforms.