The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied reports that the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been reinstated.
In a statement on Monday, Force spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi noted that SARS remains dissolved and disbanded.
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was disbanded on the 11th of October 2020, remains dissolved,” Adejobi said.
A recent viral social media post had claimed that SARS had been reformed with new rules of engagement, including non-interference in civil matters and cybercrimes.
Adejobi, however, urged the public to treat the post with caution and verify information from the force’s official social media handles.
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is not back in operation. The recent information regarding SARS reformation and rules of engagement should be treated with caution.’
Persecondnews recalls that SARS was a Nigerian Police Force unit, created in late 1992 to deal with crimes associated with robbery, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and firearms.
During its formation, SARS was known to operate covertly.
Operatives were not allowed to wear a police uniform or publicly carry guns or walkie-talkies, and were given unmarked vehicles that sometimes had no licence plates or private plate numbers during duty.
The unit was disbanded in October 2020 following nationwide protests over allegations of brutality and human rights abuses.
SARS was notorious for extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, extortion, torture, and other forms of abuse.
Despite promises of reform, concerns about police conduct and human rights violations persist. Nigerians are advised to remain vigilant and verify information through official channels.
On 22 October 2020, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed in an address to the nation that SARS had been dismantled and also accused some members of SARS of committing “acts of excessive force” when the unit was operational.
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