Joy Anyim
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered all personnel of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Anti-Cultism Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Raiders in Lagos, to hand over all pending cases to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba.
Mr. Odumosu, who said the directive took immediate effect, also stated that the new Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) would tackle armed robbery, kidnapping, violent and other weapon related crimes in the state.
Debriefing the operatives at the Command Headquarters, in Ikeja, on Wednesday, CP Odumosu said the move was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector – General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu.
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Mr. Odumosu warned the officers to desist from parading themselves as SARS operatives or any operatives under whatever nomenclature in the state, “ all their cases and operational uniforms/wears or attires be handed over to SCID, Yaba, while their satellite offices across the state be taken over and occupied by the nearest Divisional Police Headquarters in the areas respectively, ” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, however, appealed to the public to inform and report to the Command of any activities or misconduct of any police personnel claiming to be SARS operative in the state or venturing into opening or investigating cases under the SARS or any of the disbanded tactical teams in Lagos State.
He further appealed to protesters to be law-abiding, maintain peace and respect the rights and opinions of other Lagosians, and, by extension, Nigerians, in the state. He emphasised that the blockage of access roads was unnecessary.