#EndSARS: Nigerians React To Disbandment of SARS

With just a few weeks into the 2019 general elections, the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, the Nigerian Police has taken everyone by surprise by announcing that Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) will be disbanded.

The Special Anti-Robbery is notoriously known for the alleged killings, torment and harassment of Nigerian citizens.

Only in August 2018, the then-acting president, vice-president Professor Yemi Osinbajo d­irected former Inspector General of Police ­(IGP) Ibrahim Idris to overhau­l the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Thereafter, it was changed to Federal Special Anti-robbery Robbery Squad (FSARS). By September, the police commenced a two-week training on human rights for Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) commanders nationwide to reposition the outfit.

However, with this new move, Segun Awosanya (ENDSARS Convener) Amnesty International are among those who believe that the disbandment means going back to biblical Egypt.

See their reactions below:

Segun Awosanya @ENDSAR

Unfortunately for those celebrating, #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG just got reborn with this chaotic pronouncement. We are back to where it all started. All torture chambers will no doubt be recommissioned with the reinstatement of SARS, SAKS & SACS impunity under commissioners.

This rearrangement is just going to fuel corruption and lure the Commissioners of police into deploying SARS as political party Thugs. The stop gap worked because the Commissioners don’t control SARS.

We were hoping however measured that that progress will be made under the new IGP but this action demonstrates the lack of understanding of the sacrifices the collective populace have made in restoring order. This won’t augur well for the Election & Trust Of the collective.

Amnesty Int. Nigeria @AmnestyNigeria

Many times Nigerians were given assurances by authorities that #SARS would be reformed, yet shocking violations committed by the unit have continued. #EndSARS #Nigeria @PoliceNG

Chidi Okereke @Chydee

So SARS is now back to being SARS, not FSARS anymore. SARS is no longer under the IG’s office, the commissioners of police now control them. Basically back to what it was before the #EndSARS campaign. One step forward, 2 steps backward. Nigeria.

Oluyemi Fasipe🇳🇬 @YemieFASH

BAD NEWS: The report of the disbandment of FSARS by the new IG of @PoliceNG is not a good development, what this means is that SARS has now been drafted back to take orders from State Police Commissioners. They have taken us back to were we started from. #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG

Some prefered to see the joke in it

When Yahoo boiz heard SARS is back. 😂😂😂😂

#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/Tzn1ErnKAi

— 🧟‍♂️YhuR ViLLage P€opl£🧟‍♂️ (@Its_urboijoel) January 21, 2019

Whether you call them FSARS or SARS you are saying the same thing.. And I just bought iPhone😩 pic.twitter.com/ebCB3BMjnJ

— niightmares 🦋 (@naiightt) January 21, 2019