#EndSARS: A Case of Disbandment or Rebranding?

Nations of the world are watching as the hashtag #EndSARS has once again become viral and many Nigerians are trooping out en masse to protest against the continued operation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police force. Following massive protests, heated debates and huge public outcry within and outside Nigeria, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu announced the dissolution of SARS.

The announcement of the disbandment of SARS was met with an initial euphoria amidst victory chants which hailed its dissolution as a step in the right direction. There is no denial of the fact that though recent developments were originally applauded, widespread protests are still on because it appears that there are other crucial factors which have not been considered by the Nigerian government.

Over the last few years, the Nigerian government has repeatedly re-branded SARS while “banning” and “disbanding” same from time to time. With each protest, the erstwhile SARS unit had somehow gathered momentum to the extent of becoming more vicious with greater venom.

In a country where security operatives are expected to adequately safeguard lives and properties of citizens, SARS has clearly worked outside the purpose for which it was created. To further buttress this, there are various pictorial…