Nigerian Senate to probe alleged human rights abuses by SARS

The Senate, on Tuesday, instructed its adhoc committee on National Security Infrastructure to probe issues of human rights abuses carried out by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The resolution of the Senate, was sequel to a point of order by Senator Isa Misau.‎ He noted that in line with the Police Act and Regulation, the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, (Force CID) is the highest investigative arm of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

“For effective and efficient administration, the department is divided into 14 sections for which the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is one of them. The squad is supposed to be a section in each state command CID with sole responsibility of handling armed robbery cases and answerable to the state commissioner for police.

“I have in the last few months received several petitions from my constituency both online and physically against SARS on violence from extra judicial killing, brutality, torture, arrest from bribe and other menacing conduct by the men of the unit,” Misau said.

The lawmaker further stated that findings showed that the incidences were not isolated, as many people had been sharing their experiences online.

Read also: #ENDSARS campaigners win as IGP orders re-organisation of SARS

He said: “We are a civilised society. The majority of the Nigeria Police is manned by men and women of great integrity, discipline and commitment. However, this unit is not one of them. It is dangerous for us to have a unit of the police force to act as if it is above the law and empowered to so behave.”

He urged his colleagues to take stand to end SARS or make a way for a more civilised unit that would be built around the rule of law and human rights observance.

“I am aware that in 2015, the then Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase had due to incessant reports of abuses by the Force, split SARS into two units with a view to check human rights abuses. This indeed was by ensuring that officers cannot make arrest and investigate the same case.”

Misau, however, said the abuses had continued irrespective of the minor reforms by the former police boss. He said the Nigeria Police had a major obligation to ensure the protection of human rights in all the states of the federation.

“The Senate ought to prevent and investigate corruption or misconduct by law enforcement officers and provide accountability for the exercise of their powers.

“I call on this chamber to mandate the adhoc committee on security to investigate this issue of human rights abuses by SARS and make relevant recommendations,” he added.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, said it was appropriate for the matter to be sent to the committee for consideration.

“It is clear that something wrong is going on and needs urgent attention. It is happening in all our constituencies. We must be seen to be responsive to some of these needs,” Saraki said.

Ehisuan Odia ….

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now