The Inspector-General of Polic, Usman Alkali Baba has debunked rumours that he has restored the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Police Force.
The IGP added that there is no plan to bring back SARS under any form or guise as the unit has been disbanded for good.
IGP Baba made the clarification in a statement on Thursday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba and made available to Naija News.
The clarification follows some earlier reports that the IGP had brought back the notorious SARS unit and released new terms and conditions on the operation of SARS officials.
But Mba in the statement said another special unit has already taken over the responsibilities of SARS and with the reforms going on in the force, it will be wrong to go back to a unit that has been disbanded for allegations of brutality, extrajudicial killings, and human rights abuses.
He urged members of the public to ignore and disregard the rumours that SARS has been restored.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a false news report making the rounds online and offline suggesting that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered the re-establishment of the defunct Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS).
“The Force wishes to categorically emphasize that there is no plan whatsoever to bring back the disbanded SARS. SARS is gone for good and will not resurrect under any guise whatsoever.
“The IGP notes that the Force has since reorganized its operational structure to fill the vacuum created by the disbandment of SARS. Currently, the leadership of the Force is focused on efforts at deepening reforms within the Police and bequeathing Nigerians a Police Force that will be more effective, efficient, technology-driven, humane and Rule of Law-compliant.
“The IGP, therefore, calls on members of the public to disregard the report which is absolutely false and deliberately intended to disinform and misinform members of the public.”
This article was originally published on Naija News