By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has declared that it has no plans to return Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), saying that the unit remains permanently disbanded.
Naijablitznews reports this was contained in a statement issued on Monday morning, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, categorically dismissed the reports as baseless rumors and misinformation.
The statement, titled “DISCLAIMER: SARS REMAINS DISSOLVED – FPRO,” was shared with Naija News to clarify the situation.
According to Adejobi, SARS was officially disbanded on October 11, 2020, following widespread protests against police brutality during the #EndSARS movement. He reiterated that the unit has not been reinstated under any guise, warning the public against believing unverified reports suggesting otherwise.
Police Urges Nigerians to Verify Information
The police spokesperson advised Nigerians to exercise caution and confirm the authenticity of any security-related information before spreading it. He stressed the importance of relying on credible sources to avoid panic or misinformation.
Read statement:
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to debunk circulating rumors and misinformation speculating the return of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) under a reformed structure. The unit, which was disbanded on October 11, 2020, remains permanently dissolved. Any claims suggesting otherwise should be disregarded.”
He further clarified:
“The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is not back in operation. Reports about its reformation and new rules of engagement are false. Nigerians should verify information sources before accepting them as true.”
To ensure accurate updates, Adejobi urged citizens to follow the official Nigeria Police Force social media handles, includin
He emphasized that public safety and awareness remain top priorities, encouraging Nigerians to stay informed and vigilant.
Background on SARS Disbandment
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was disbanded in 2020 after widespread protests led by the #EndSARS movement, which condemned police brutality and extrajudicial killings. The movement, which gained both national and international attention, forced the government to dissolve the unit and announce reforms within the police force.
Despite the dissolution, there have been persistent concerns about alleged cases of police misconduct, with some reports claiming that former SARS officers have been redeployed under different units. However, the police have consistently denied any revival of the squad, maintaining that efforts are ongoing to implement broader security reforms.
As misinformation continues to circulate, the Nigeria Police Force urges citizens to rely on verified sources for updates and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could cause unnecessary panic.