SARS: Hold SARS Personnel in a Holding Facility for Psychological Evaluation and Reorientation Training Prior to Redeployment..... Bish Johnson

"The problems bedeviling the Nigeria Police Force like Nigerian Republic is so complicated that no one Inspector General of Police can solve them, just as no one President can solve Nigeria's problems".... Bish Johnson.

"This IGP has done incredibly well. A very professional police officer, disciplined and calm in his approach to issues, yet focused and determined".

Following the disbandment of the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, otherwise known as SARS, a retired Captain in the United States Army, Bish Johnson has called for a "Psychological Evaluation and Reorientation Training Prior to Redeployment for the personnel of the SARS".

Capt. Bish Johnson (Retd.) made this known on Monday in a statement he issued and signed personally.

Below is the full text.

As I watched and listened to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu announced late yesterday the disbandment of the out of control, notorious and criminal gang unit of the Nigeria Police SARS, after days of protest by Nigerians who have had enough of the unit's criminal conducts and acts, I saw in IGP Mohammed Adamu, a professional and fine police officer who wants to do good by the Force and Nigeria. 

After watching and listening to him, I felt sorry for him. I felt sorry for him because I know deep down in my heart that no matter how well he meant for Nigeria Police and Nigeria, and how much he desires for reform and change in the force, the problems bedeviling the Nigeria Police Force like Nigerian Republic is so complicated that no one Inspector General of Police can solve them, just as no one President can solve Nigeria's problems. All IGP Mohammed Adamu can do is just to put in his best efforts, do his time and varnish from the scene. 

No doubt that since assuming office, this IGP has done incredibly well. A very professional police officer, disciplined and calm in his approach to issues, yet focused and determined. This IGP from in my view and as shown time after time by his approach to policing, is very citizen-friendly and has a listening ear.

It is on the basis above premise that I want to add my voice as someone who has spoken immensely and engaged widely on security discourses in this country that the IGP suspend in the interim the immediate redeployment of personnel of the Nigeria Police Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS until they have all undergone mental and psychological evaluation to determine their fitness for normal policing conducts and activities.

There is no doubt that some personnel may have had mental breakdown and post traumatic stress disorder as manifested in their conducts towards their fellow citizens.

Innocent Nigerians are suppose to feel safe when they encounter their police men and women, but as events of the last decade has shown, that was not the case with most encounters with operatives of the Nigeria Police unit, SARS.

With every encounter with operatives of SARS, even innocent Nigerians were scared to death as these operatives raped, extorted, humiliated, dehumanized, abused, terrorized and murdered them in cold blood. 

I am not condemning every operative of SARS, but their number was substantial enough and their conducts too many and so bad to have attracted the anger we saw in the streets of Nigeria in the last few days from Nigerians of all creed.

The Nigeria Police over the years has had a credibility gap between them and the Nigerian public. This lack of confidence and trust of the Nigeria Police has been there for years. It is still there today and will remain there even in the future, until the police demonstrates to Nigerians it is ready for a change in behavior. The way Nigeria Police handles this SARS issue can go a long way to demonstrate its genuine desire to turn a new leaf. 

First, it should prior to redeploying personnel of SARS, hold them in  holding facilities until it had conducted a psychological evaluation to determine those still fit for normal police duties, separate those who may have any form mental distress and send them for treatment. It should also send all those still fit for normal police duties for reorientation training.

Finally, the Nigeria Police must as a demonstration of its commitment to uphold the laws of the land, protect lives and property and serve Nigerians fairly and justly, investigate all cases of alleged brutality, abuse, extortion and unjust murder of Nigerians and hold to account every officer involved.

If it takes these steps and all the steps listed by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu yesterday, it will go a long way in closing the credibility gap and will ensure a more acceptance of whatever unit it rolls out in the future to replace SARS. It must not just do cosmetic changes by changing name and uniform. 

Bishop C. Johnson is a former Captain of the United States Army, a National Defense and Military Strategist, a National Commentator, and a Right and Social Advocate.