#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu Reacts, Vows To Act Swiftly

Following an increase in cases of police brutality, harassment and extortion of civilians in Nigeria, with Lagos being a hotspot, The  State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed to take a drastic step toward the menace.

This is a reaction to the mass outcry against the Nigerian police and its Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for their alleged brutality, extortion and harassment against Nigerians.

The outcry against SARS, a dreaded and highly controversial unit of the Nigerian police force, resurfaced on social media on Saturday following reports of their brutality and harassment of citizens.

Through the #EndSARS and #SarsAlert hashtags, Nigerians have called on the government to disband this unit, as it is claimed to have caused many deaths and injuries in the country.

Speaking on the next line of Action  , Mr Sanwo-Olu said appropriate actions will be taken.

“The safety of our residents is my number one duty as the CSO of Lagos. So, reading reports of seemingly unlawful exploitation by the people charged to protect is very worrying & needs to be addressed immediately. Be assured that appropriate actions will be taken, & speedily too,” Mr Sanwo-Olu tweeted.

See His tweets below

The safety of our residents is my number one duty as the CSO of Lagos. So, reading reports of seemingly unlawful exploitation by the people charged to protect is very worrying & needs to be addressed immediately. Be assured that appropriate actions will be taken, & speedily too.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 4, 2020

Meanwhile, In a bid to put an end to deadly act by the special anti-robbery squad, The operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, F-SARS and other Tactical Squads of the Nigeria Police Force has been banned from routine patrols including searching phones of citizens.

Naija News reported that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, banned the force unit from carrying out its usual patrols including other low-risk operations.

According to Mba, the IGP’s directive is with immediate effect. Naija News understands that the directive affects the Special Tactical Squad, Intelligence Response Team, Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels.