#SARSMUSTEND: Training of new unit begins next week, says IGP

The Inspector-General General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, says the training of a new police unit to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad will commence next week.

He promised to investigate all cases of brutality by SARS operatives and bring the perpetrators to book.

Adamu spoke when popular musician, David Adeleke aka Davido, visited him in office on Monday over the ongoing #EndSARS protests.

He said with SARS being disbanded, there was need to set up a new structure to carry out the duties of the defunct police unit which is fighting violent crimes.

He said the new outfit would be intelligence-driven, properly trained and only act on occasions that required their attention.

He said the unit would be made up of fresh personnel with a new orientation and not officers from the scrapped unit.

According to the police boss, opportunities would be created for members of the public to make inputs into the formation of the new unit.

Adamu called for calm, noting that Davido‘s visit to talk about the issue was the best way to deal with the current problem.

Adamu stated, “We just disbanded (SARS) yesterday (Sunday), so protesters should calm down and give us time to fix the problem. The general public will be part of the process of getting a new outfit.

“I’m talking to you so, I will keep talking to many others and get civil societies involved and get their input towards the new unit.”

He said the issue of compensation to the families of those wronged by SARS would be addressed when investigations were concluded.

“We want justice to be done and justice will be done,” he said.

He said officers of the disbanded unit would be retrained and given other responsibilities in the Force, but would not be reabsorbed into the new outfit.

“We admit the trust gap is wide but we will work to bridge that gap,” Adamu assured.

Davido demanded the immediate release of all arrested protesters and also called for justice and compensation for the victims of SARS brutality.