Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to “overhaul the management and activities” of notorious Police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
According to a statement from Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media & Publicity, Laolu Akande “following activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any Unit that will emerge from the process, will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.
“The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging Unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.
“In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Special Panel that will conduct an investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress”.
The Acting President is always known for taking certain actions which reshape some bad precedents esch time the President is away. This is a sign that Mr President is not sensitive to the cries and complaints of Nigerians on some national issues. It is very unfortunate that in the absence of Mr. President, Nigerians experience positive Presidential directives aimed at repositioning and addressing serious issues than when President is arrooind. This attribute of the Acting President has made some Nigerians to wish that the Acting President continue whether now or later.