Most Anti – SARS Campaigners Were Criminals – DIG Abiodun Alabi 

By Philip Tayo 

The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigative Department, FCID, Force Headquarters in Abuja, DIG Abiodun Sylvester Alabi have described most of those who spearheaded the nationwide campaign against the Special Anti – Robbery Squad, SARS, few years ago, which led to its scrapping as criminals. 

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DIG Alabi who also doubles as a top Police Executive in charge of the South West Geo-political Zone, stated the above on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while speaking at the 2024 Press Week Annual Public Lecture of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council on the theme titled: “The Role of Media in Promoting National Peace and Security”. 

According to DIG Alabi, he said, “most of those who initiated the social media war against the existence of the SARS in the Country are criminals, who are not at ease with the operations of the unit of the Police formation in the Country. He used the opportunity to commend the roles played by the SARS in dealing with criminals throughout the Country before it was eventually scrapped”.

Alabi also emphasized the call to journalists throughout the Country during the public lecture on the need for them avoid publishing or reporting sensational stories that might trigger security threat in the Country. 

The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigative Department during the public lecture, titled, “The Role of Media in Promoting National Peace and Security,” DIG Alabi expressed the need for the media to place premium on news that fosters national peace and security, rather than promoting reports that exaggerates security threats that instill fears in the minds of the people.

Speaking on behalf of the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji at the event, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode commended the State Council for the successful Press Week. 

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He praised journalists for fair reporting on government activities and pledged further collaboration in the realisation of his shared prosperity agenda.

In her remark, the NUJ Vice President, B-Zone, Ronke Samo urged the government and security agencies to be functional, while also soliciting for free flow of information without any interference.

The Chairman of the Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi commended the DIG for the delightful lecture, while giving assurance to prioritize national peace and security on various platforms.

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The Olufaki of Ifaki-Ekiti, Oba Adegbenro Falore also discouraged the public from withholding sensitive information from security personnel, emphasizing its crucial role in combating security threats.

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