Hundreds of youths and the middle aged yesterday staged a protest asking for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, a unit of the Nigeria Police and an end to police brutality, framing and blackmailing.

With various inscriptions such as “End SARS NOW” and “Reform the Police System”, the protesters marched through the streets of Awka starting from the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, through Government House, Anambra State Police Command Headquarters, and Anambra Broadcasting Service, calling for immediate disbandment of that unit of the Nigeria police.

Correspondent Chibuzor Obidike reports that the protests started in different parts of the country after several reports and videos on the social media emerged of the personnel of SARS engaging in different forms of victimizations of innocent citizens and extrajudicial killings.

Despite the attempt by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu to assuage the anger of those asking for the scrapping of SARS last weekend when he directed the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other ‘Tactical Squads’ of the Force to stop patrols on Nigerian roads, protesters argued that the directive will not address the human rights violations which is now synonymous with SARS in particular and the Nigeria Police in general.

After the directive contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, last Sunday, protests erupted in Lagos, Ughelli in Delta State, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and different parts of the country including Awka the Capital of Anambra State.

Speaking to the ABS, Comrade Ebelechukwu Ngini and Chukwuka Osonwa alleged that SARS unit has, severally, violated the human rights of Nigerians especially the young ones who are seen carrying laptop computers or smart phones which consequently lead to different levels of brutality and defrauding them of their property and cash.

Contributing, Miss Chinaza Obi, a student and Mr Akigo Ogene a lawyer from Delta State said that the re-occurring brutality from the police personnel is endangering the future of the youths and asked all Nigerians to join in the struggle to end the ugly menace.
Comrades Prince Mmaduabuchi and Somto Okafor, argued that SARS operatives have done more harm than good.

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