SARS, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force, is dissolved

The Special Anti Robbery Squad – SARS – unit of the Nigerian Police Force has been dissolved. The unit become controversial following accusations of brutality against the populace that it was designed to protect.

Announcing the dissolution, a statement from police spokesman Frank Mba said “IGP M.A Adamu … has today, 11th October, 2020, dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),”. Mba also said that All SARS officers are being redeployed with immediate effect.

However, the protesters have vowed to continue marching in their demands to end police brutality in all forms and make rogue officers accountable.

According to CNN “Before the decision to disband SARS was announced, one man died and several others were injured as police in Nigeria fired live ammunition and tear gas on young people protesting the unit.

The man has been named as Jimoh Isiaka and his death was confirmed by the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.”I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso,” Makinde said on Saturday. “He later died at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso…” he added in the Twitter statement.

Five others were also injured in the state and taken to hospital, according to the governor. Protesters in Nigeria’s capital Abuja also reported that police were using water cannons and firing live ammunition during a march on Sunday afternoon.