‘Buhari must speak to us… no more audio promise’ – reactions to disbandment of SARS

Calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation have taken centre stage on social media shortly after Adamu Mohammed, the inspector-general of police, announced the immediate disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS).

The announcement came on the back of the #EndSARS protests across the country and some parts of the world.

“He assures that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS would cause has been evolved and shall be announced in due course,” said Frank Mba, police spokesperson, on behalf of the IGP.

”Meanwhile, as part of measures to prevent a re-occurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a Citizens’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum is being formed to regularly interface with Police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public.”

Quite a number of Nigerians have taken to Twitter to express their doubts about the disbandment of the police unit.

The users seemed not to be satisfied owing to similar promises of reforming the police department in the past which failed.

In September 2018, TheCable had reported how Ibrahim Idris, the then IGP, had issued a similar directive due to the public outcry over SARS brutality.

A month earlier, the then Acting-President Yemi Osinbajo had also directed Idris to overhaul SARS.

Owing to the fact that nothing has changed since then, some Nigerians expressed their dissatisfaction with the disbandment — using the tag “audio dissolving” — while calling on the president to address the nation on the matter.

In Nigeria, the term “audio” is used to describe a promise that is not guaranteed, with “audio money” popularly used for people who show off wealth and material possessions which might not belong to them or with unknown origin.

“They’ve said these lies before! Audio dissolving, do not believe any of it. #EndSARS,” a user wrote.

“Not until we see the president on Live TV saying that SARS has been Dissolved & they have been redeployed into Forces that fight against Terrorists we will not believe anything. No more Audio Promises in 2020,” another user wrote.

On his part, Yahoo banker wrote: “We refuse to accept this #Audio #dissolving Buhari himself should address us tonight if it’s real, We no wan hear from police. The whole world is aware of the #endsars movement. The best way to feed them back is hearing from our president himself. And proper actions are taken.”

See more tweets below:

https://twitter.com/Daddy_Noms/status/1315277164099571712

They've said these lies before! Audio dissolving, do not believe any of it.#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/ZsEpLo0Zuj

— Somto. (@Somto__N) October 11, 2020

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We refuse to accept this #Audio #dissolving Buhari himself should address us tonight if it's real, We no wan hear from police. The whole world is aware of the #endsars movement. The best way to feed them back is hearing from our president himself. And proper actions are taken pic.twitter.com/xy96YXB0YY

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— #EndSars 🇳🇬 (@Yahoo_Banker) October 11, 2020

We don't want SARS to come back as drunkard officer Emeka that will be shooting at mosquito and kill someone's child with stray bullet

We don't want them back as angry officer Salisu that will kill a driver because of 50 Naira

We don't want Audio dissolve #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/MjJMA0HXWx

— Big Uncle (@Usmanashafe) October 11, 2020

No 2 says Sars will be redeployed to other police command,formation and units.. Same criminals! Same Sars!!Please guys be careful out there cause it sounds like Audio #EndSARS
Congratulations Nigerians tho✊🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/jtbzhbYIBZ

— BIG DADDY (@bigdaddyvinz) October 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/Mareeyahh1/status/1315281938203246592

Me I no just understand why you no fit address people wey put you for office, na to dey send messengers to us. Well, I have one question where them dey redeploy this officers to, what’s the update about #PoliceReform no carry audio dissolution come here o!

— KURAJA 👑 (@dotmanofficial) October 11, 2020

Executive Order Banning them totally their presence on our roads!

Also A statement from the president Himself…

Else Alĺ these na Audio!!!! https://t.co/auhHww3l5K

— Lawyer to the Bad Boys (@OlanipekunTobiD) October 11, 2020

Story. It’s all the audio “policies” and “reforms” since the 70s and 80s that got us here. Today OFN ,tomorrow three R’s, etc. Till today nothing to show.
Better show workings alaye, times have changed https://t.co/h1sgrKPyWN

— Crunzy (@Mayookun) October 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/_bestbaba/status/1315279196982325250

Congratulations Nigeria 🇳🇬
We understand that Sars have been dissolved but what if it's an Audio
Why can't the president address is himself
Let's remember this is just the beginning
It's only SARS that have been resolved pic.twitter.com/tysErI4D70

— Bottom Boy (@Atandagfx) October 11, 2020

Na we are angry. #EndSars for real, not this audio ban

— Z O⚡️O (@Elozonam1) October 11, 2020

Don't loose guard Nigeria! The goal is to #EndSARS not some audio dissolution! 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/Hckm7gJbRp

— Void Walker 🇵🇸 (@voidd_walker) October 11, 2020

Is this Audio dissolving #EndSARS
Congratulations Nigerians pic.twitter.com/hjAyLD4paZ

— Edustuff⚪🇳🇬 (@Edustuff1) October 11, 2020

Don't fall for any Audio dissolve
Don't fall for any Audio dissolve
Don't fall for any Audio dissolve

The Presidency must publicly address Nigerians. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/R26VJWVxzV

— 𝕁 𝔸 𝕄 𝔼 𝕊 – 𝕀ℕ『𝕏』 (@heismacQ) October 11, 2020

There’s nothing the govt can’t do for us unless we show no concern about it, now SARS Dissolved i do hope it’s not an Audio one.
Let’s keep pushing untill they meet ASUU demands. Congratulations Nigerians once again!!!#EndAsuuStrikeNow

— GIDADO (@AbdulGidadoo) October 11, 2020

“SARS DISSOLVED” I hope it’s not Audio o, even so we will continue to be on the lookout and be very watchful. ONE love, ONE Nigeria 🇳🇬 ❤️🚀🚀#EndNorthbanditry #Endsars

— Chemically combined (@masud_basheer) October 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/Obatizer2/status/1315277679168565249

The president should address us Live that SARS has been disbanded.
We want copies of the Executive order, ordering same.

What sort of audio presidency is this?

— Andrei (@leoandrevic) October 11, 2020

We’re not about to backdown because of some A4 paper from the IGP. Not this audio disbanding again.

Where TF is the president? Where’s his VP?

Fucking #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality

— Lolade (@Lolade4PF) October 11, 2020