The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, says he has no intention to reinstate the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Police spokesman Frank Mba disclosed this in a statement, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Mr Mba explained that the clarification followed reports making the rounds both online and offline that the police chief had ordered the reinstatement of the disbanded SARS.

“The force wishes to emphasise that there is no plan whatsoever to bring back the disbanded SARS. SARS is gone for good and will not resurrect under any guise whatsoever,” he said.

In October 2020, thousands of Nigerians embarked on a nationwide protest, tagged #EndSARS, against the police unit’s wanton disregard for the rule of law, including extrajudicial killings, illegal detention, and extortion.

He added that the Nigeria Police had re-organised the operational structure of the squad to fill the vacuum created by its disbandment, as the leadership of the police remained focused on efforts at deepening reforms within the security agency.

Mr Mba said the idea was to give Nigerians a police force that would be more effective, efficient, technology-driven, humane, and the rule of law-compliant.

The police spokesman urged the public to disregard the report, saying it was intended to misinform the public.

(NAN)