IGP Adamu bans FSARS, other Tactical Squads from routine patrols, low-risk duties
...Police arrest two FSARS operatives, civilian accomplice for extortion
Joy Anyim
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has placed a ban on personnel attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force, from conducting routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties.
IGP Adamu, in a statement, on Sunday, said the ban on the FSARS and other Tactical Squads, 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, takes immediate effect.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/10/03/peter-obi-extols-new-bishop-of-ideato-revd-henry-okeke/
Giving reasons for the directive, the IGP stated that the leadership of the Force had found out that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
In the statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, the police chief said the affected units would have no business with duties such as stop and search, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, among others, stating that no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. “They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear,” he said.
IGP Adamu also warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized 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.
“FSARS and other Police Tactical Squads remain a critical component of the Force in confronting prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country,” he said.
He, however, condemned every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads.
IGP Adamu said he has 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 said.
IGP Adamu also 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, 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.
Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS, Inspector Sale James and Inspector Monday Uchiola, and their civilian accomplice, Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.
Operatives from the Lagos State Police Command had also impounded the operational vehicle of the men, and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
The police chief reaffirmed 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, therefore, enjoined 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.
