Nigerian Police Haven’t Changed: Isa Sanusi Reveals SARS’ Return And Rising Extortion

Isa Sanusi, the Country Director of Amnesty International, has stated that there has been no meaningful change in the Nigerian Police’s relationship with citizens.

Sanusi revealed that police officers continue to extort, kill, torture, and exploit Nigerians, despite being entrusted to protect them. In an interview with News Central on Tuesday, he claimed that the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which was supposedly disbanded by the government, is making a comeback within the force.

He accused the police of harassing and extorting young Nigerian men simply for looking presentable or carrying expensive mobile phones.

“The police brutality continues unabated. When the government dissolved SARS, we believed it was the end of the unit. Unfortunately, reports indicate that SARS is resurfacing through the back door. Young people are still being arrested by heavily armed officers, often dressed in plain clothes, acting like commandos, and intercepting them without clear identification,” Sanusi explained.

He further noted that these young men are being targeted for factors such as their appearance or possession of high-end phones. “We’ve received numerous reports about this issue,” he said. “This problem has become deeply entrenched. Despite the government’s promises to dismantle SARS, their efforts appear superficial and insincere.”

Sanusi emphasized that the Nigerian Police have not changed, continuing their extortion practices, committing atrocities, and using torture to extract information from detainees during investigations. He also criticized the government’s failure to hold the police accountable for their unprofessional actions.

The Amnesty International Director vowed that the organization would persist in advocating for citizens and highlighting the ongoing issue of police misconduct in Nigeria.