‘They may pollute other units’ — Atiku advocates retraining of disbanded SARS operatives

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says operatives of the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) must be properly retrained before being redeployed to other units of the police.

Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), had on Sunday dissolved the police unit  following a nationwide outrage.

In a statement by Paul Ibe, his spokesman, Atiku said while the move is worthy of commendation, measures must be put in place to ensure the “bad eggs” among those affected do not pollute other police units they will be deployed to.

He added that such measure would ensure “that they do not come into their new assignments with the same mindset for which the disbanded unit was notorious for.”

“This was the right thing to do. A system that brutally eliminates our youths is not one to hold on to, and neither can we be proud of it,” he said.

“Now we can start on a clean sheet to envision an elite police unit similar to the SWAT and a comprehensive overhaul of the police and policing system that is peoples-focused.”

Abubakar also advocated an independent judicial inquiry into the activities of SARS that will ensure justice for victims of extrajudicial killings and punishment for officers involved in such dastardly acts.

He suggested the opening of the “dreaded” SARS cells for scrutiny and stock taking of detainees.

According to him, the dissolution of SARS should facilitate a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s police to one which would adequately represent the needs of regional, state and council components.

He commended youths who defied the odds to facilitate the disbandment of SARS, adding that with such energy and unity, they can bring about the needed change in the country.

He said the disbandment of SARS has again shown that the people remain the fulcrum of democracy.

Abubakar also paid tribute to Jimoh Isiaka, an #EndSARS protester, who was killed in Ogbomosho, Oyo state, on Saturday as well as others who breathed their last in the course of demanding a better society.