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Atiku Abubakar warns that personnel of the disbanded SARS could turn into monsters if not retrained and managed properly, calls for an independent investigations into allegations of extrajudicial killings

Nigeria’s former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has warned that officials of the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) could turn into some monsters if not managed properly. The PDP 2019 presidential candidate insisted that the personnel of the now dissolved unit must be properly retrained before being redeployed to other units of the police force.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday dissolved the police unit after weeks of sustained protests across major cities in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

Atiku in a statement by his media advisor, Paul Ibe stated that while the dissolution is worthy of commendation, measures must be put in place to ensure the bad eggs amongst those affected do not pollute other police units they will be deployed to.

He added that such measure would ensure that they do not come into their new assignments with the same mindset for which the disbanded unit was notorious for.

“This was the right thing to do. A system that brutally eliminates our youths is not one to hold on to, and neither can we be proud of it,” he said.

“Now we can start on a clean sheet to envision an elite police unit similar to the SWAT and a comprehensive overhaul of the police and policing system that is peoples-focused.”

The former VP called for an independent judicial inquiry into the activities of SARS that will ensure justice for victims of extrajudicial killings and punishment for officers involved in such dastardly acts.

Atiku also called for the opening of the SARS detention facilities for scrutiny and stock taking of detainees.

He stated that the dissolution of SARS should facilitate a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s police to one which would adequately represent the needs of regional, state and council components.

He commended youths who defied the odds to facilitate the disbandment of SARS, adding that with such energy and unity, they can bring about the needed change in the country.

It was his his view that the disbandment of SARS has again shown that the people remain the fulcrum of democracy.

The billionaire businessman also sent his condolences to the family and friends of Jimoh Isiaka, the #EndSARS protester, who was killed in Ogbomosho, Oyo state, on Saturday as well as others who breathed their last in the course of demanding a better society.

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