The Inspector -General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti -Robbery Squad from routine patrols .
He also banned other tactical squads of the force, including the Special Tactical Squad , Intelligence Response Team, Anti - Cultism Squad , and other squads operating at the Federal, Zonal, and Command levels , from carrying out routine patrols .
They were also banned from conducting other conventional low - risk duties – stop and search duties , checkpoints , mounting of roadblocks , traffic checks , etc – with immediate effect.
This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer , Frank Mba, on Sunday .
The statement titled , ‘IGP bans FSARS , other police tactical squads from routine patrols ’ , added that “ In addition , no personnel of the Force is authorised to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti . They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear. ”
The statement came a few hours after
condemnations greeted the alleged shooting of a young man in front of a hotel in the Ughelli area of Delta State by some SARS operatives .
The statement read in part , “ 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 guises to perpetrate all forms of illegality , contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure, Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads
“ Specifically , the IGP has warned the tactical squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorised 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 .
“ The IGP notes 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 .
“ 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.
“ He , therefore , charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction. ”
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