Nigeria’s inspector general of police has banned a notorious unit from carrying out stop and search duties and setting up roadblocks amid growing anger at routine harassment and atrocities allegedly committed by its officers.
Mohammed Adamu also said members of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) must always wear uniforms.
Videos shared recently on social media appear to show officers extorting money and even shooting people but Nigerians want the group disbanded
The hashtag #EndSARS is trending on Twitter, triggered by the alleged killing of a young man by officers from the unit in the city of Lagos on Saturday and another in Ughelli, Delta State. While other Twitter users use the hashtag to share varying stories and ordeal.
Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu tweeted on Sunday: “Appropriate actions will be taken, and speedily too”.
SARS and other tactical police units have been banned from “invasion of privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorised search of mobiles, laptops and smart devices,” Mr Adamu said in a statement on Sunday.
This announcement has been faced with mixed reactions by Nigerians. A sect happy with this development and others who feel this changes nothing.
