Frank Mba

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Adamu, has banned the personnel
of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and 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
duties such as stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of
roadblocks, traffic checks, among others with immediate effect.

A release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force
Headquarters Abuja DCP Frank Mba stated that 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 , Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing
the squads.

According to the release, the IGP has specifically warned the Tactical
Squads against invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly
through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones,
laptops and other smart devices as they are to concentrate and respond
only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes
when the need arises.

The release stated that in addition, no personnel of the Force is
authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti but
they must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical
gear.

The IGP noted that the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad 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 and 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.

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.

Meanwhile, two operatives of the Federal SARS 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 including
extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.

The release stated that the operational vehicle of the men has also
been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced
against the defaulters.

The Inspector-General of Police 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.

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