Nigerian lawmakers in the upper house of the West African country’s parliament on Tuesday voted to launch investigations into alleged police brutality by a special unit of the force.
The move comes following a public outcry, as citizens demanded that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) be disbanded.
The campaign, which has gathered pace in the last few days, has seen people on social media share stories of alleged mistreatment by the unit’s officers.
The Nigerian police force has however dismissed the allegations of human rights abuses by SARS officers, but said it would launch an investigation into the accusations.
In a statement posted on its official Twitter feed, the senate said: “The committee has been mandated to look into allegations of human rights abuses raised by the general public, make relevant recommendations, and include it in its final report.”
The inspector general, who heads the Nigeria Police Force, on Monday announced the immediate re-organisation of SARS nationwide. He ordered an “investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions” levelled against the unit.
The NPF has observed the recent trends of event in the Social Media on the #ENDSARS and the controversy being generated by the innuendos from the allegations and other misconceptions as it concerns the Operational roles and activities of the SARS #ReformSARS
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) December 4, 2017
The IGP has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions leveled against personnel of SARS across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force. #ReformSARS
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) December 4, 2017
Here’s a look at some of the reactions from Nigerians that brought the issue to light, under #ENDSARS.
https://twitter.com/michael_asah/status/938291547740737538
I’m hearing SARS officials now stop and check people's phones for their social media activities, looking out for #EndSARS posts
You see why Reform SARS won’t work but they should be deleted and trashed totally
— Oke Umurhohwo (@OkeStalyf) December 5, 2017
When a man with a gun, without the slightest bit of provocation, points it at u or holds it in a manner dat can be interpreted as threatening, while demanding something frm u. Regardless of his job, uniform, tribe or any stereotype, he is 1st & foremost AN ARMED ROBBER! #EndSARS
— SANTI (@Iam_DJSANTI) December 6, 2017
My phone belongs to me, not to the entire policemen, but it earns you a beating and 100k bail in Nigeria.#EndSARS
— E L◎ng MōsquΞ °™ 🦇🔊 (@MrOnu_) December 6, 2017
