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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied reports that the notorious special anti-robbery squad (SARS) has made a return to the streets.
In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, noted that SARS remains dissolved and disbanded.
Recently, a viral social media post claimed that SARS has been reformed with personnel handed new rules of engagement.
The post lists the purported rules of engagement to include non-interference in civil matters and cybercrimes.
Adejobi asked the public to treat the post with caution and always verify information from the force’s official social media handles.
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was disbanded on the 11th of October 2020, remains dissolved,” Adejobi said.
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is not back in operation.
“The recent information regarding SARS reformation and rules of engagement should be treated with caution. Nigerians are encouraged to verify the source of any information before accepting it as true.”
On October 11, 2020, Adamu Mohammed, then inspector-general of police, announced the immediate disbandment of SARS following nationwide protests over its brutality.
In October 2020, young Nigerians took to streets across the country to protest police brutality while demanding the disbandment of SARS.
SARS was notorious for numerous human rights abuses such as extortion, torture of suspects leading to severe bodily harm, and extra-judicial killings.
However, concerns about the conduct of police officers and reports of human rights violations have heightened suspicions that police authorities may have secretly reinstated SARS.
