The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Muhammadu Adamu, has banned operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other squads from carrying out routine patrols.
This is contained in a statement signed by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters on Sunday.
According to the statement, the IGP ban applies to police special squads including Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels.
Mba wrote that the squads are to cease from routine checks and other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect.
“In addition, no personnel of the Force are authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti.
They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear. The IGP’s directives come against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under disguise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads,” the statement read.
The IGP added that Tactical Squads are hereby warned against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through the indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.
Condemning the recent activities of some rogue operatives of the police special and tactical forces, the IGP ordered the commencement of the Monitoring Unit of the police.
“He, however, condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads. He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers on the road.
“They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force,” the statement read in part.
Mba said in the statement that the IGP also sound bells of warning to the Commissioner of Police in charge of FSARS, Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, that they would be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Meanwhile, the Police Headquarters also disclosed the arrest of two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.
“The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and the disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
“The IGP reaffirms his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure. He enjoins the citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personnel of the Force to negatively impact on their belief, confidence and trust in the Police.” The Force PPRO stated.
#killndBansars
Kudus to the Inspector General of Police and his PRO Frank MBA, for a well deserved job if sanction all FSARS operatives across the nation. The presence has been a skirt e if concern and night are to all Nigerians.Thanks for your timely intervention. This singular action of the IGP and his PRO will change changed the face and image of the Police Force.
Kudus to the Inspector General of Police and his PRO Frank MBA, for a well deserved job of sanctioning all FSARS operatives across the nation. Their presence has been a source e of concern and nightmare to all Nigerians.Thanks for your timely intervention. This singular action of the IGP and his PRO will change changed the face and image of the Police Force.