The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the reorganisation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, popularly known as SARS across the country.

The announcement was made on Monday in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood.

According to Moshood, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris directed that the SARS be immediately reorganised across the nation while investigation into all allegations and complaints raised against the squad was also ordered.

The directive is coming after Nigerians took to Twitter and other social media platforms to demand the scrapping of the police squad with the hashtag #EndSARS.

The statement read, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris concerned with public interest and the need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency and effective service delivery to all has directed the immediate re-organisation of the SARS nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force.

“The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).

“Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters.

“A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country. All Commissioners of Police have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives. The IGP X-Squad has been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.”

However, it was pointed out in the statement that SARS has performed well in fighting violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnappings and cattle rustling in the country in the recent time resulting in reduction of incidents of the mentioned violent crimes nationwide.

Aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any SARS personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions.

IGP X-SQUAD

0902 690 0729 – CALLS

0903 227 8905 – SMS

0903 562 1377 – whatsapp

Email: [email protected]

FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU

07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp

08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Twitter: @PoliceNG

www.facebook.com/ngpolice

PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU)

08057000001 – Calls Only

08057000002 – Calls Only

08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only

Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU

www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU