Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, yesterday, revealed that the ministry, through the Nigeria Police Force, was responsible for the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.

Dingyadi disclosed this at the second yearly ministerial press briefing, which took place at the Goodluck Jonathan Peace Keeping Hall, Police Force Headquarters Annex, Abuja, where he listed his key achievements and reforms.

It would be recalled that former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, on October 11, 2020 ordered the disbandment of SARS, following nationwide protests by citizens against the excesses and illegal activities of the police team.

Dingyadi said: “The Ministry of Police Affairs, through the Nigeria Police Force, embarked on the re-organisation and reform of Police Tactical Squads, including the dissolution of SARS and set up of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, (SWAT) on October 13, 2020.”

“The ministry had obtained approval from the Federal Executive Council for the concession of the $470m moribund National Public Security Communication Network, which has Close Circuit Television (CCTV) project as a major component.”

These facilities, he said, were successfully installed in most states of the federation but due to lack of funding for maintenance, they became dilapidated.