News Africa

Nigeria governor promises action against ‘rogue’ SARS police unit

The governor of Nigeria’s Lagos State has pledged to take action against a notorious police unit which has been widely accused of committing human rights abuses. 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu said he was very worried about reports of unlawful exploitation by officers from the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

Videos shared on social media appear to show officers extorting money and even shooting people.

Nigerians want the unit disbanded.

The hashtag #EndSARS is trending on Twitter triggered by the alleged killing of a young man by SARS officers in the city of Lagos on Saturday.

Many people are also using the hashtag to share stories of brutality attributed to the police unit.

Three years ago Nigeria’s police chief ordered an immediate re-organisation of the SARS after another social media outcry.

But an investigation by rights group Amnesty International, released in June, found that SARS members continue to use “torture and other ill-treatment to execute, punish and extract information from suspects”.

It documented 82 cases between January 2017 and May 2020.

Amnesty found that the group targeted by the officers were young men between the ages of 17 and 30.

“Young men with dreadlocks, ripped jeans, tattoos, flashy cars or expensive gadgets are frequently targeted by SARS,” the organisation said.

“The Nigerian authorities must go beyond lip service and ensure there is real reform, ” Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria said about the findings.

Lagos governor Sanwo-Olu tweeted on Sunday: “Appropriate actions will be taken, and speedily too”.

SARS comes under Nigeria’s federal police, so it’s not clear if the governor has the power to rein in the much criticised unit.

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

Related Articles

Back to top button