The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria Rev Dr Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, has called for the prosecution of the bad elements in SARS rather than their redeployment.
In a statement made available to church Times, Ayokunle said CAN is not happy with the automatic redeployment of the members of the unit without appropriate sanction.
He wrote, ‘ CAN is not happy with the automatic redeployment of the officers and men of the disbanded unit to other units without sanctioning the bad eggs among them.’
He then called for an administrative or judicial investigation into the disbanded SARS ‘with a view to bringing the culprits to book so that such bad eggs might not be allowed to corrupt other units or continue with their old habit of lawlessness’
He however commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu,for being sensitive and responsive to the clarion call for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
He notes ‘we are aware of the circumstances that led to the agitation which included but not limited to alleged extra- judicial killings, unlawful arrests and detentions, extortion, tortures, and disappearances of detainees.’
He also acknowledged the spontaneous nature of protest nationwide but regrets the loss of lives and the destruction of some property in the cause of the mass actions.
He prayed that God will console and comfort all the bereaved as He heals those who are recuperating in the hospitals.
He also demanded that ‘all our security agencies be reformed and transformed into a modern security architecture that befits the contemporary challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and herdsmen attacks.’
‘Uniformed men and women should cherish the rare opportunity the country gave them and the trust of handling the security of the nation by behaving responsibly. They should make us to be proud of them.’ he stated.