Popular singer, Banky W has come out to also call for the end of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

He recently revealed that asides its end, all erring police officers must be made to pay hefty damages to their victims.

According to him, by so doing, it will serve as a deterrent to other officers who have decided to choose the wrong path as well.

He added that reforming or scrapping SARS will not end the complaints of the citizens since the same SARS officials will automatically be drafted back into the police force.

His words, ”The Govt must #EndSarsNow. But we can’t stop at the ban, because the same bad officers will still be in the Police force and just continue the behaviour. #EndSARS but also commit that any officer involved in extortion or brutality is immediately suspended, investigated & charged.

Police must also be held liable for damages in proven cases. They must pay hefty damages to the families of their victims… directly out of their yearly budget!! When they hurt us, it must hurt their pockets. I’ve lost count of how many times we have to raise money for victims.

Mr President, this is the reform effort we want: – #EndSARS – Any officer involved caught in Extorting/assaulting citizens is immediately suspended without pay, investigated and charged – Police must be held liable to pay damages for their conduct in proven cases.”

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.