The Nigerian Police says it will be difficult to scrap the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Force.
Police PRO, Frank Mba made this known while speaking on Channels TV against the backdrop of the nationwide protest demanding a dissolution of SARS.
He revealed that some SARS operatives are involved in the fight against insurgency and banditry in the north.
Mba faulted some of the protesters that want SARS banned, calling then beneficiaries of crime.
“If the #EndSARS hashtag is seen as a symbolic call for the reform of SARS, I would say clearly that the leadership of the NPF is in line and ready to work with those making that call.
“However, if the hashtag should be seen as a call for the total disbandment of SARS, I would tell you very clearly that it will be difficult for any responsible organisation to work that path, taking into cognisance the amount of investment in training that government has made in setting up that department and the very critical roles it is playing.
“As a matter of fact, we have received a lot of calls from people particularly in states like Maiduguri, Yobe, and some other parts of the north where SARS operatives are deeply embedded in the fight against banditry, insurgency.
“And these people have made it very clear that ending SARS is not even an option for them because of the critical roles SARS operatives are playing in those areas, heavily on bandits, terrorists and other kinds of criminals,” he said.
The Force spokesperson also said while some are genuinely concerned about the excesses of SARS, another group that want the rogue police unit scrapped are criminals who would benefit more in its absence.
He said; “There are people who are beneficiaries of criminal enterprise.
“Some of them probably people who are receiving stolen goods; who are into organised crime such as arms smuggling, illicit arms movement, importation of drugs and other kinds of crimes that are economically motivated.”
