STATE ANTI ROBBERY SQUARD (SARS) AND HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATIONS IN NIGERIA , 1992 – 2020

ABSTRACT

There are many evidences that shows that the State Anti Robbery Squard (SARS) has violated human right in Nigeria. Findings has shown that SARS have actually violated human rights in Nigeria in a more serious dimension, the appearances of Officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are always terrified and identifying an erring officer is always a difficult task since they do not have a name tag on their uniform, this is dangerous, hence, there was a public outcry seeking total scrap of SARS Unit from the Nigeria Police Force¹. SARS extrajudicial executions of citizens, excessive use of lethal force and torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of alleged criminals on a regular basis was becoming a threat to the constitutional right of the citizens. This has betrayed the public trust of the common phrase “police is our friend” thereby giving a bad image and impression to the Nigeria Police as a law enforcement agency. The Nigeria Police Force is not only responsible for failing to respect human rights; the poor performance of the Nigeria police to tackle on crime, the high level of corruption reported within their ranks and the constant human rights violations being committed by the security forces also pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of the country and foster an ever higher level of mistrust and suspicion towards the police among Nigerians². This act of irresponsibility by SARS is traceable to illiteracy, poor job orientation and lack of supervision on the role of engagement which is inimical to the overall interest of the citizenry.