Ogun Footballer’s Death: IGP Disbands Zonal SARS, Dismisses Inspector

The Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) of the Nigeria Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been disbanded.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu made the announcement on Tuesday, following the death of a Remo Stars Footballer, Tiyamiyu Kazeem, who was allegedly killed by operatives of ZIS SARS.

The IGP was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department, Force Headquarters, Peter Ogunyonwo during a condolence visit to the parents of the deceased in Sagamu in company with the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.

The police boss disclosed that the office of ZIS would be handed over to the Ogun State Police Command.

The IGP had on Monday ordered a full-scale investigation into the death of the player.

Kazeem was killed by a hit-and-run vehicle after he was allegedly thrown out of a moving operational vehicle of SARS on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway on Saturday.

His death was said to have triggered protests across Remo and Sagamu in Ogun State. The police in the state had earlier denied killing the player, alleging that he died after jumping out of a vehicle to evade arrest.

According to the DIG, the police inspector indicted in the case had also been dismissed, adding that the other officers were under investigation.

The death of Tiamiyu, the police boss noted would cause the police to carry out more reforms.

While also revealing that all the officers involved in the circumstances that led to the footballer’s death had been arrested, Ogunyonwo noted that the ZIS SARS were on illegal duty and were not given clearance by the police formation at Sagamu before arresting the deceased.