EndSARS: What To Know About New Police Tactical Squad SWAT

The Nigerian Police Force says its new tactical squad set up to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will respond solely to scenes of weapon-related crimes, robbery attacks and rescue operations, among others.

The Force made this known in a social media post signed by the Public Relation Officer, Frank Mba, on Wednesday.

The police said that the team will also respond to special operations involving high profile criminals, adding that the squad’s operations will be strictly intelligence-driven.

The Force noted that no member of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will be selected to be part of the new tactical team.

“Members of the new tactical team will by no means embark on routine patrols”, and are even barred from “an indiscriminate and unlawful search of phones, laptops, and other smart devices,” the police said.

“Operatives of the new tactical team must be free from.any pending disciplinary matter especially those touching on misuse of firearm and abuse of human rights,” said the force.

THE WHISTLER reported earlier that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had disbanded SARS and noted that the defunct squad would eventually be replaced with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team.

IGP Adamu had announced on Tuesday that prospective members of the new team would undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

Adamu also ordered all defunct operatives of SARS to report to the Force headquarters for the same examination.