Senate orders arrest, prosecution of SARS operatives over killings

By SUNDAY ABORISADE, Abuja

The Senate, on Wednesday, ordered the arrest and prosecution of operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad who were involved in the recent killings of innocent Nigerians across the country.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, stated this while ruling on the Senate resolution on a motion by Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Tinubu, in her motion, drew the attention of her colleagues to the recent extra-judicial killings and human rights abuses by SARS operatives.

Lawan said a mere dismissal of overzealous and reckless operatives was not enough but that they must be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He said, “Those who are involved in the recent killings of innocent Nigerians should be arrested and prosecuted.

“Scrapping the SARS now may not be the best option because the nation may lose the best hands in the agency while trying to do away with the bad eggs among them.

“The dismissal of the bad ones among them is not also enough. Offenders must be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”

The red chamber also mandated its committee on Police, Judiciary and Human Rights to probe human rights abuses of Nigerians by SARS operatives in the last few years.

The chamber asked the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to establish a special unit that will constantly investigate and monitor the conduct of SARS operatives.

It also directed the authorities of the Nigerian Police Force to utilise part of its trust fund to trains its operatives. (The PUNCH)