Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has come out to say that Nigerians are right to protest the killings and brutality against citizens by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across Nigeria.

He revealed this at a recent plenary in his concluding remarks on the murder of Jimoh Isiaka by the Police.

According to him, the conduct of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad have been unacceptable as they have no right to turn against citizens who protest peacefully.

He added that SARS was funded by public funds and their main purpose is to ensure there is law and order in Nigeria.

His words, “SARS was funded by public funds and the entire essence of having the Nigeria Police Force is to ensure that there is law and order, and that there is security for our people.

“When SARS turned against the people, it was right for the people to protest peacefully.”

“I think the protest has yielded the desired result so far, and there may not be need to continue to have protests again when SARS has been disbanded.

“Those culprits who were involved in the killing and maiming of Nigerians will be brought to book.

“I think we should give the government the chance to implement those reforms as quickly as possible.”

What do you think?

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a Nigerian Police Force unit under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Anthony Ogbizi. Since 2012, SARS has come under controversy for being linked to acts of extortion, torture, framing and blackmail.

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad was founded in 1992 by former police commissioner Simeon Danladi Midenda. The major reason SARS was formed was when Col. Rindam, a Nigerian Army Colonel was killed by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.

SARS is one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department which was established to detain, investigate and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping and other forms of crimes.

During its formation the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was known to operate covertly. SARS operatives were not allowed to wear police uniform, publicly carry guns or have walkie-talkies. They were given unmarked vehicles with sometimes no license plates or private plate numbers during duty.