IMPUNITY IN NIGERIA’S SECURITY FORCES: A CASE OF THE SPECIAL ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD, 1992-2020

Abstract

No society is void of crimes or its perpetuators. In light of this, various governments sought the creation of security units to protect and defend its citizens as well as ensure that law and order is maintained, to achieve cohesive growth and development. The Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) in Nigeria was formed in 1992 to carry out these duties. However, in October 2020, the Nigerian government through the Inspector General of Police, announced the disbandment of SARS. Why? Did the unit achieve its aim? Is today’s Nigeria void of such crimes as robbery, kidnapping, etcetera, of which this unit was created to tackle? Before now, particularly in the late 2017, various human rights defenders and activists in Nigeria had launched a massive campaign against this security unit(SARS). This campaign was tagged #ENDSARS, aimed at exposing the various human rights violations committed by the SARS unit. In recent years, the world has witnessed various organisations such as Amnesty International, United Nations and other human right groups draw attention to the constant pervasive use torture, extrajudicial executions, extortions and rape by Officers of SARS. Yet, nothing concrete has been done so far to curb these excesses which seem to gradually diffuse into other security forces in the country. The government has either continued to pay lip services to these problems or simply ignore and threaten media restrictions while these miscreant officers bask in impunity. The study argues that this is hinged on the level of corrupt practices embedded in the Nigerian System which by proxy, extents to the various institutional outfits in the country. The qualitative method of research was employed in analysing data, gotten from both primary and secondary sources. There is optimism that with the effective implementation of the Anti Torture Act of 2017; prompt investigation of all allegations of torture/ill treatment and outright prosecution of officials where sufficient evidence of abuse of power abound; standard training, orientation and reorientation of new and old officers respectively; adjustment of salary structures of officers in tangent with the new minimum wage; amongst others, Nigeria is set to witness a rebranded security force who fully understand their objective towards service and are justifiably conscious of creating a safe and secure environment for everyone living in the country.