#EndSARSProtest: Police Commission To Sack 37 Ex-SARS Officers, Prosecute 24 Others

No fewer than 37 former members of the disbanded Special
Anti-Robbery Squad have been listed for dismissal from service.

The Police Service Commission is also expected to order the
prosecution of 24 other ex-SARS operatives for various acts of
professional misconduct.

These were the highlights of the Report of the Presidential
Panel on Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad set up by the
Federal Government in 2018 to reform the dreaded unit.

The presidential panel had, among other things, investigated
allegations of human rights violations and abuse of office against
SARS and recommended reform or restructuring of the outfit.

Presenting the report to the PSC Chairman, Musiliu Smith, in
Abuja on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the National Human
Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, called for a speedy implementation
of the panel recommendations.

A statement by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said Ojukwu
observed that the PSC chairman has all it takes to deal
appropriately with the report of the panel.

The statement was titled, ‘PSC to partner Human Rights
Commission, promises immediate action on report of presidential
panel on reform of SARS.’

“We have come to see a PSC determined to play a leading role in
the reform of the Nigeria Police Force,” Ojukwu was quoted to have
said.

Ojukwu said the reform was the most topical issue in the country
today, adding that a lot was expected from the PSC.

He noted that the panel called for and received 113 complaints
on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22
memoranda on suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and
the Nigeria Police Force in general.

The statement said, “Ojukwu said at the end of the public
hearing, the panel recommended 37 police officers for dismissal and
24 were recommended for prosecution.

“The panel also directed the Inspector -General of Police to
unravel the identity of 22 officers involved in the violation of
the human rights of innocent citizens.”

Receiving a copy of the report, Smith said the PSC would
collaborate and support the NHRC in the promotion of good
governance.

He, however, said that for effective reform of “the
much-maligned SARS,” there must be a deliberate effort to select
capable, professional and credible people to replace the disbanded
outfit.

The selected officers, he added, must be properly trained and
exposed to regular training.

Smith stated, “There must also be close supervision of the newly
selected officers so that the nation will not experience the rot
that became the fate of the disbanded unit.”

Any misconduct, he noted, should be severely and promptly
handled.

The former IG said the government should show more concern on
the funding of its vital agencies as they needed robust funding to
do their job.

He also made a case for proper and good accommodation for police
officers, stressing that “these officers need good accommodation to
put in their best.”

No fewer than 37 former members of the disbanded Special
Anti-Robbery Squad have been listed for dismissal from service.

The Police Service Commission is also expected to order the
prosecution of 24 other ex-SARS operatives for various acts of
professional misconduct.

These were the highlights of the Report of the Presidential
Panel on Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad set up by the
Federal Government in 2018 to reform the dreaded unit.

The presidential panel had, among other things, investigated
allegations of human rights violations and abuse of office against
SARS and recommended reform or restructuring of the outfit.

Presenting the report to the PSC Chairman, Musiliu Smith, in
Abuja on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the National Human
Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, called for a speedy implementation
of the panel recommendations.

A statement by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said Ojukwu
observed that the PSC chairman has all it takes to deal
appropriately with the report of the panel.

The statement was titled, ‘PSC to partner Human Rights
Commission, promises immediate action on report of presidential
panel on reform of SARS.’

“We have come to see a PSC determined to play a leading role in
the reform of the Nigeria Police Force,” Ojukwu was quoted to have
said.

Ojukwu said the reform was the most topical issue in the country
today, adding that a lot was expected from the PSC.

He noted that the panel called for and received 113 complaints
on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22
memoranda on suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and
the Nigeria Police Force in general.

The statement said, “Ojukwu said at the end of the public
hearing, the panel recommended 37 police officers for dismissal and
24 were recommended for prosecution.

“The panel also directed the Inspector -General of Police to
unravel the identity of 22 officers involved in the violation of
the human rights of innocent citizens.”

Receiving a copy of the report, Smith said the PSC would
collaborate and support the NHRC in the promotion of good
governance.

He, however, said that for effective reform of “the
much-maligned SARS,” there must be a deliberate effort to select
capable, professional and credible people to replace the disbanded
outfit.

The selected officers, he added, must be properly trained and
exposed to regular training.

Smith stated, “There must also be close supervision of the newly
selected officers so that the nation will not experience the rot
that became the fate of the disbanded unit.”

Any misconduct, he noted, should be severely and promptly
handled.

The former IG said the government should show more concern on
the funding of its vital agencies as they needed robust funding to
do their job.

He also made a case for proper and good accommodation for police
officers, stressing that “these officers need good accommodation to
put in their best.”