It has been reported that at least 32 operatives of the special anti-robbery squad better known as SARS are currently in detention.
It was also reported that the arrested officers were moved to Abuja from different state commands during the weekend.
According to the report by TheCable, the suspects are all male and are being held in various detention cells of the Federal SARS at Guzape District Abuja.
“Since their arrival in Abuja, their family members and lawyers have not been allowed to see them based on an order from above,” a source told the news website.
The report follows days of campaign online by Nigerians with the hashtag #EndSAR, recounting horrible encounters with the police squad and calling on the government to scrap it. On Monday, the protesters took the call to the streets in various locations in the Country, including Lagos, Abuja, Warri, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and so on.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who reportedly ordered their arrests, is said to have assembled a team of top police investigators to look into their cases.
It was gathered that the officers are being investigated for several different cases, including extortion, robbery and rape.
The commands where the suspects were serving have been directed to report to Abuja with proofs and exhibits needed in the course of investigation.
The source said Lagos command has the highest number of suspects, next to the federal capital territory (FCT).
“Their immediate orderly room trial and punitive measures will also become part of the ongoing moves to stem the tide of alleged impunity being campaigned against the police institution,” the source said.
“At a recent meeting with the police management team, the IGP decided to apply prompt punishment for any SARS officer found wanting, here in Abuja instead of their commands where such cases are not properly handled.”
Though the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of SARS, Yusuf Kolo declined comments on the arrest, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood confirmed the arrests but did not disclose the number of operatives in detention.
