Nigeria: Scepticism trails abolishment of hated police unit

Campaigners in Nigeria have responded with scepticism to the announcement that a police unit, widely accused of brutality, has been disbanded.

Protesters had called for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or Sars, to be broken up.

But they are unhappy that its officers are being redeployed to other units rather than being disciplined.

In a statement, Nigeria’s police chief said allegations of abuse would be investigated.

Demonstrations against the squad spread to Europe and Canada following widespread reports of unlawful arrests, torture, and even deadly shootings.

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