Port Harcourt — Retired DSP Effiong Udoh on Friday urged the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, not to merge State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) with State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

Udoh, who made the appeal in Port Harcourt in an interview with newsmen, said the speculation in the force about the merger was unnecessary. He noted that the merger would amount to disbanding the Squad, adding that SARS should be allowed to operate as a department.

Udoh urged the IG to shun the differences among the police authorities and allow SARS to operate independently, especially now that the country was facing security challenges.

Udoh said it was improper to merge the SCID and SARS, adding that the Squad was set up earlier with the mandate to combat robbery activities in the country.

He said the name SARS had 'scared criminals to their bone marrows', noting that operating under SCID would be a set back to the fight against robbery.

Udoh noted that huge amount of money had been spent on setting up the department with adequate training given to members to combat robbery.

- NAN