JUST IN: PSC to dismiss 37 SARS officers

By Toheeb Jaiyeola On Oct 16, 2020

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has pencilled down about 37 members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, for dismissal.

The Commission Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, announced this while receiving a report of the Presidential Panel on Reform of the SARS, set up by the Federal Government in 2018, from the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday.

It said the commission is also expected to order the prosecution of 24 other ex-SARS operatives for various acts of professional misconduct.

The statement was titled, ‘PSC to partner Human Rights Commission, promises immediate action on the report of the presidential panel on reform of SARS.’

According to the statement, Mr Ojukwu, while presenting the document, observed that the PSC chairman has all it takes to deal appropriately with the report of the panel.

It said, “We have come to see a PSC determined to play a leading role in the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.’’

In the statement, Mr Ojukwu said the reform was the most topical issue in the country today, adding that a lot was expected from the Police Service Commission.

It noted that the panel called for and received 113 complaints on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22 memoranda on suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and the Nigeria Police Force in general.

“Ojukwu said at the end of the public hearing, the panel recommended 37 police officers for dismissal and 24 were recommended for prosecution, ”the statement said.

“The panel also directed the Inspector -General of Police to unravel the identity of 22 officers involved in the violation of the human rights of innocent citizens.”

Also, Alhaji Musiliu Smith said the PSC would collaborate and support the NHRC in the promotion of good governance.

The PSC Chairman however, said that for effective reform of “the much-maligned SARS,” there must be a deliberate effort to select capable, professional and credible people to replace the disbanded outfit.

The selected officers, he added, must be properly trained and exposed to regular training.

Mr Smith stated, “There must also be close supervision of the newly selected officers so that the nation will not experience the rot that became the fate of the disbanded unit.”

Any misconduct, he noted, should be severely and promptly handled.

The former IGP said the government should show more concern on the funding of its vital agencies as they needed robust funding to do their job.

He also made a case for a proper and good accommodation for police officers, stressing that “these officers need good accommodation to put in their best.”