32 SARS operatives held in federal police detention facilities in Abuja

ayodele johnson

December 12, 2017 9:32 PM

A room trial has been introduced as a means of penalising SARS operatives found culpable of criminal offences.

A number of 32 operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been arrested and are being held at federal detention facilities in Abuja owned by the police.

This is according to The Cable News who reported that the officers concerned were transferred from various state commands over the weekend.

A source who spoke to the media company disclosed that the operatives were detained in different cells and their families and lawyers have been restricted from getting in touch with them.

“The suspects, who are all male, are now being held at 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,” The Cable gathered from the source.

According to reports, the police on the orders of its Inspector General Ibrahim Idris has given the go-ahead for a prompt punishment of SARS operatives who have acted against protocols. This is in response to protests made by Nigerians calling for an end to the police department due to the involvement of its officials in acts of intimidation against civilians.

ALSO READ: More tension in Ondo as SARS operative allegedly kills man

States such as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, Delta and Rivers saw a crowd of disgruntled people protest with placards expressing a disapproval concerning the continuance of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad which has failed to live up to the purpose of its creation.

A group of people comprising of mostly women are also asking that SARS remain in existence. The hashtag #SupportSARS is preaching a reformed SARS instead which is expected to bring about a safer Nigeria and a crime free country.

ayodele johnson