By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
A retired Commissioner of Police, Fulani Kwajafa, who created the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in 1984, has expressed regrets for birthing the outfit which has gained notoriety for human rights violations.
The former police boss said that he sometimes feel ashamed that it was his idea that brought about SARS, an outfit he said may have some armed robbers in its ranks.
Kwajafa made the comments while speaking with the BBC Hausa service following widespread protest against the dreaded outfit and police brutality.
He said: “SARS idea was broached in 1984 following complaints of widespread robbery in the country.
“Mr Inyang (then police Inspector General) called me and told me to come up with a plan to save the country from thieves, so I said okay. I told him to give me his trust, resources and officers to start work.
“After four months of creating SARS, there was peace, those who were not caught ran, and those who were caught were sent to prison.
“This thing frustrates me; there is no reason why because someone commits a crime that the person should be killed. There are laws and no one will give an order that if you see armed robbers kill the person.
“I have been hearing disheartening news, to the extent that I have thought to myself that it seems among the SARS officials, there are armed robbers.
“This is not why we created SARS, the reason is completely different; this is not the purpose. In fact, when I am mentioned as the creator of SARS, I feel ashamed. It’s a thing of regret for me. “If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have created it because people who know when I established the unit always say to me, is it not Kwajafa’s baby? But this is not what I birthed, it has been changed.”
