Senate investigates SARS’ brutality in Nigeria

Following a point of order of urgent national importance raised by Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial district, Isah Hamman Misau, the Senate has asked its ad-hoc Committee on national security to investigate activities of Special Anti-Robbery Squad on Tuesday.

Isah said that there were serious complaints from Nigerians over excesses of operatives of Special Assistants Squad, adding that they were abusing their powers.

According to him, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID )was the highest investigative organ of the Police which were divided into 14 units.

Misau explained that the Federal SARs ought to be under the Force CID, headed by AIG, while those at the state level ought to be headed by ACP CID, regretting that their activities were placed under operations.

Citing instances where Special Anti-robbery Squad from the Force headquarters operates in the state without the knowledge of the state Commissioner of Police, he said such was counter productive.

“Mr President, the reason I am coming under order 42 and 52 is due complaints by Nigerians on the activities of Special Anti-robbery squad of the Nigeria Police”, he said

“You will discover that a lot things are happening in the Nigeria Police. My constituents have written a petition over SARs brutality.”

“Special Anti-robbery Squad is a special unit that supposed to report directly to the State Commissioner of Police through ACP in charge of CID”, he added.

“Mr. President, it is unfortunate that SARs are involved in extra judicial killings, brutality, rape and all forms of criminality and something must be done to change the situation now’, he insisted.

The lawmaker maintained that the Police must be ready to discharge responsibilities with integrity, noting that Nigeria is a civilised society.

Reacting, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki explained that the Inspector General of Police was already working to change the structure of SARS.

He asked the Ad-hoc Committee on National Security to investigate activities of SARS and report back to plenary.