The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), MA Adamu, has banned the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force from routine patrols.
The other tactical squads included in the ban are Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels. They are banned from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties.
They have also been ordered to stop all search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect.
This was announced by the Police in a statement on Sunday afternoon, following online outrages over the activities of the officers of SARS.
This development is coming after the #EndSARS protest started on social media.
The Police also announced that no personnel of the Force is authorised to embark on patrols or tactical assignments without police uniforms, “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 this guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
The IGP warned that SARS should not invade the privacy of Nigerian citizens through indiscriminate and unauthorised searches of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.
“They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises,” he says.
The IGP urged that SARS is a critical component of the Police in fighting violent crimes nationwide, and condemned the acts of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the squads.
The IGP 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,” he states.
The IGP warned that the commissioner of police in charge of FSARS and other state area commanders will be held liable for any misconduct within their area of responsibility (AOR).
IGP BANS FSARS, OTHER POLICE TACTICAL SQUADS FROM ROUTINE PATROLS
– As Police Arrest 2 FSARS Operatives, 1 Civilian Accomplice in Lagos State
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect. In addition, no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
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 these guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality,
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
Specifically, the IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices. They are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
The IGP notes that the FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country. He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
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.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
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.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
The IGP has equally warned, that henceforth, 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,
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility (AOR). He therefore charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens. The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/YwAM9uPnRx
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 4, 2020
We all know this is some bullshit.. after a while they continue with their evil schemes
Hopefully this ban is real
This is just plenty talk abeg… How is a ban going to keep these extremists away??
But what does this mean? Haven’t they done this before???
This a start. Next step is implementation and monitoring and evaluating. #PoliceReform