Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says officials of the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) must be properly retrained before they are being redeployed to other units of the police force.
Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), had on Sunday dissolved the feared police unit after days of protests across the country.
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 “bag eggs” among those affected do not “pollute” other 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.”
The former vice-president said it is unfortunate that youths in the country have continued to suffer harassment and brutality of all kinds.
“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 also 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 the SARS has again shown that the people remain the fulcrum of democratic.
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 for a better society.
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