The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Adamu, has announced dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

All officers serving within the unit are to be redeployed with immediate effect

The dissolution follows immense pressure to scrapped the unit, which had become notorious for extortion, harassment and killings of young Nigerians.

Police spokesman, Frank Mba, said in a statement in Abuja on Sunday that Adamu disbanded the unit “in the finest spirit of democratic, citizen-centred and community policing.”

He added: “The IGP, while noting that the dissolution of SARS is in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people, observes that by this dissolution, all officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad are being redeployed with immediate effect.

“The IGP notes that the Force is not oblivious of the ever present need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad.

“He assures that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps the dissolution of SARS would cause has been evolved and shall be announced in due course.”