IGP Bans SARS, Others From Patrols, Checking Of Personal Items

The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Muhammed Adamu, has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force from carrying out routine patrols, as well as checking of phones and other smart devices.

The information was disclosed in a statement signed by the Force Public Relation Office, Frank Mba on Sunday.

“The IGP has 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,” IGP said.

The statement highlighted other tactical squads to include the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels.

IGP Adamu said these Squads are prohibited henceforth from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc with immediate effect.

Adamu added that no personnel of the Force is allowed to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti but should 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…

“…contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads,” the statement said.

The IGP noted 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, condemned every act of “unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads”.

He, 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 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, 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,” the statement said.