Tag: IGP

PSC directs IGP to handover ongoing recruitment of policemen

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, handover the on-going 2020 recruitment exercise of police constables into the Nigeria Police Force and Cadets into the Nigeria Police Academy in compliance with the Order of the Court of Appeal.

This was according to a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, IKechukwu Ani, on Friday.

Ani said the Commission’s directive was contained in a letter to the IGP signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police and dated October 20th, 2020.

The PSC had last year dragged the IGP and others to the Federal High Court in Abuja last year over the recruitment of 10,000 police constables into the Force.

The court had ruled in the defendants’ favour saying it was the duty of the IGP to carry out the recruitment.

The Commission had headed for the Court of Appeal, which on September 30, 2020, overturned the lower court’s decision, saying it was the Commission’s responsibility, thereby nullifying the ongoing process of the recruitment into the Force.

The IGP has already headed for the Supreme Court.

October 23, 2020
#ENDSARS: IGP withdraws policemen attached to VIPs

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to all VIPs across the nation with immediate effect.

However, Adamu said those attached to government houses, the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representatives, should not be withdrawn.

This was contained in a police wireless message sent on Wednesday, as addressed to all state Commissioners of Police.

According to the wireless message dated October 21, 2020, it was said that “any commander who violates this order will bear the consequences.”

The signal, which was signed by the AIPOL, Protect, Force Headquarters, Abuja, reads in part: “Any protect personnel found escorting or guarding any VIP with or without a firearm is deemed to be deployed by the commander and the commander will be sanctioned.”

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It was further directed that “all withdrawn protect personnel are to report to COMPOL commands.”

October 21, 2020
IGP ignores calls to halt setting up SWAT for disbanded SARS, insists training commences Sunday

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ignored nationwide calls to postpone the setting up of a new police unit; Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The embattled police boss on Thursday outlined the structure of the new outfit and also reaffirmed that the training of men and officers of SWAT will commence next week.

According to a memo from the IG to Deputy Inspectors General, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police and Commandants of Police Colleges, the new SWAT outfit will comprise of officers and men that will be selected based on clearly defined criteria.

They are to be specially trained in weapons handling and tactical operations.

Adamu said they will be oriented to operate within very high professional and ethical standards, rule of law and best international policing practices that will align with national democratic values and yearnings of the citizens.

He said the mandate of the SWAT Team will be intelligence-led and limited to response to robbery attacks, response to scenes of weapon-related crimes, rescue Operations, special operations involving high-profile criminals that constitute threats to national security, including anti-banditry, and counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations which will require special tactical response.

The IGP said the outfit shall comprise of a State Commander, Second in-Command and thirty-six (36) other officers and men.

The breakdown is as follows: one Chief Superintendent of Police as State SWAT Commander, one Superintendent of Police as 2 I/C State SWAT Commander, there Deputy Superintendents of Police as Section Commanders, and three Assistant Superintendents of Police as 2I/C Section Commanders.

Others are 24 Inspectors and Non Commissioned Officers as Operatives and another six NCOs as drivers.

He said in the long-term, the number of SWAT Teams per state will be expanded based on the assessment of the security realities of each State Command.

On the selection criteria he said they must be between the ages of 25 – 40 years for operational elements and between the ages of 35 – 45 years for command elements.

The IGP said they must have not less than seven years policing service experience and be physically fit to withstand the rigour of SWAT Training and Operation.

He said the physical fitness test will include Cooper’s Test.

The SWAT personnel must be certified as medically, emotionally and psychologically fit and will all as a critical pre-requisite undergo and pass medical examination, psychometry and toxicological screening for drug of abuse which will be conducted by the Police Medical Services during training. Those found to be unsuitable shall be discharged, he said.

He also said they must not have any pending disciplinary matter or any serious previous record of professional misconduct touching on intemperate behaviour, incivility to members of the public, corrupt practices and misuse offirearms among others.

Adamu said officers and men to be selected must not be from the recently dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

He said the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which will act as the protocol that will regulate the processes, conduct and operations of the SWAT Teams is being developed.

He added that officers and operatives of the Outfit shall be held accountable based on the extent of their compliance with the SOP.

Adamu said the personnel would be kitted with specially branded uniforms, kits and accoutrements.

“Under the new policy, no personnel will be authorized to use any uniform, kits or accoutrements other than as approved for the Outfit and officially issued to them.

On no account must they also undertake any operation without the branded items. The details of this shall be contained in the Standard Operating Procedure of the Outfit,” he said.

The Police Boss said no personnel of the team shall be engaged without being screened, specially trained and certified as a SWAT Officer.

“The basic training will be three weeks long and shall be conducted at the PMF Training College, Illa-Orogun, Osun State; PMF Training College, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State; and PTS Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State commencing from Sunday 18th October, 2020.

“The first batch of the training shall comprise of fifty (50) officers and men to be selected from the FCID, the 36 State Police Commands and the FCT.

In order to facilitate the immediate take-off of the newly approved NPF-SWAT Team, he directed the DIG FCID and Commissioners of Police in each of the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT to screen and select a total of 50 officers and men from each of their commands.

He said the DIG FCID and each Commissioner of Police across all the State Police Commands are to arrange and transport the 50 selected officers in their respective Command to the Training Colleges for which they are scheduled.

“All the officers and men MUST arrive and document on Sunday 18th October, 2020 at their designated training facility.”

October 16, 2020
BREAKING: Reps summon IGP over nationwide #EndSARS protests

An ad hoc committee set up by the House of Representatives on the ongoing nationwide protests against the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

The IGP is to appear before the special panel on October 22, 2020.

The panel will also conduct town hall meetings across the country to take hear from Nigerians on the matter.

Details later…

October 15, 2020
Buhari, IGP sued over attacks on protesters, N200m claimed for each victim

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu have been sued over the attacks on peaceful protesters against police brutality and corruption.

The suit by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) followed widespread protests demanding reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The group demands N200million for each of the victim of police brutality.

Joined as Respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu.

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1451/2020 filed Thursday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP seeks “an order for the immediate and unconditional release of all those still being detained across the country solely for peacefully exercising their rights.

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It also seeks a court order directing the Federal Government and Nigeria Police to immediately identify all victims of police brutality during the protests and adequately compensate each of the victims and their families with N200 million.

SERAP is seeking: “an order to protect and secure the fundamental rights of peaceful protesters across the country participating in the #EndSARS/#SARSMustEnd protests or any other peaceful protests, to wit: their rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”

SERAP is also seeking “an order of injunction restricting the Federal Government and the police whether by themselves, their officers or agents, from stopping the protests and from harassing, arresting, detaining, or violating in any other ways the fundamental rights of Nigerians participating in peaceful protests across the country.”

“The right to protest constitutes the very foundation of a system of participatory governance based on democracy, human rights, the rule of law and pluralism. Failure to respect and ensure the right to peaceful protest is typically a marker of repression,” SERAP said in its affidavit.

“In a democracy, people must be given the freedom to come together to express their opinions on issues they care deeply about. The role of government is to facilitate that democratic participation, and not to restrict or criminalise it.”

The organisation is asking the court for “an order directing the Federal Government and Nigeria police to identify all perpetrators of brutality and human rights violations against peaceful protesters across the country, and bring them to justice without further delay.”

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SERAP is also asking the court for “an order compelling and directing the Federal Government and Nigeria police to disclose the total number of protesters in the #EndSARS/#SARSMustEnd protests arrested across the country, their places of detention and details of allegations against them.”

The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

October 15, 2020
Photo: Abuja youths stage counter #EndSARS protests, declare support for Buhari, IGP

A group under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society organisations has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu for disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

At a rally in support of police and other security agencies which took place at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, the coalition condemned the continuation of the #ENDSARS protests across the states.

Chief Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Olayemi Success, described the actions of the protesters as “totally uncalled-for and unacceptable, originally, the protest was ill conceived as the advantages and usefulness of SARS in curbing crimes in Nigeria overwhelmingly outweighed their few mistakes, therefore, such protests can be highly demoralising”.

Olayemi added: “Today, we the leaders of different Civil society organizations are gathered here from far and near with some of our members from every nook and cranny of Nigeria in solidarity with our security agencies especially the Nigeria Police force, recently, we are all aware of pockets of protest demanding for the scrap of Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS).

“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) in display of his 21st century Police officer’s compliance, highest level of professionalism and best regards for Democracy yielded to the call and disbanded the SARS, surprisingly, the protesters still continue with their trade of protest.

“In view of the above, this solidarity march is very important to boost the morale of the police men and women, for them to know that well -meaning Nigerians appreciate their sacrifices in securing Nigeria, we are convinced that Police is our friend and everyone that sees police as enemies are suspects.

“Let us use this opportunity to commend the world best Inspector General of Police for creating SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM (SWATT), which we believe will discharge all the responsibilities of the disbanded SARS more professionally and effectively, also, it is very important to call on the National Assembly to approve more funding for Nigeria Police force for adequate security”.

The coalition called on all Nigerians to collectively join hands with the Nigeria Police Force for an enduring security and peace in Nigeria.

October 14, 2020
Six things to know about Nigeria’s new tactical police unit ‘SWAT’

The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu has created a new unit known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team which will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the IGP had last Sunday disbanded SARS nationwide over mount-up allegations of extra-judicial killings, wanton arrests and dispossession of property through physical assault and other intimidation tactics.

Nigerians, especially youths staged protests online and offline calling for the total disbandment of the controversial unit.

Here are six things you need to know about the new unit:

1. Prospective members of this new team will undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

2. These members are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week.

3. The training schedules are as follows;

A. Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State

B. Police Commands from the North will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State

C. Police Commands from the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State

4. The IGP ordered all operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

5. The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties.

6. The Police Counselling and Support Unit will consist of psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, Public Relations practitioners, Civil Society and other Human Rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise

October 14, 2020
BREAKING: IGP inaugurates unit to replace disbanded SARS

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has set up the Special Weapons and Tactics Team that will replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The prospective members of the new team, who would undergo tactical training next week, will undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

A statement by the Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in Abuja on Tuesday, disclosed that the personnel from police commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State.

Those from the police commands in the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.

The statement was entitled, ‘IGP orders all defunct SARS personnel to report at the force headquarters for psychological and medical examination’.

It also disclosed that the IGP had ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

The officers are expected to undergo the process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

The statement read, “The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, today, 13th October 2020, in accordance with section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

“The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

“The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit, a unit, which henceforth, shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties. “

The unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, public relations practitioners, civil society and other human rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

While reaffirming his commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the police reforms, the IG enjoined members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to “exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a police force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.”

October 13, 2020
#EndSARS: IGP opens up after meeting with Davido

The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has pledged to investigate all videos of police brutality against Nigerians to ascertain their authenticity and ensure that officers found wanting were punished.

Adamu made the pledge on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, also known as Davido.

He said investigation of videos in circulation became necessary because of the issue of fake videos seen on social media recently.

He added that the dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police was the first time such decision was taken.

The police boss said that a unit would be saddled with the responsibility to perform the functions but not the disbanded SARS.

He said that training for the disbanded SARS would soon commence but called on Nigerians for more time to get things addressed.

Adamu said that training and retraining of police officers had been his top priority and commended the popular singer and his team for the visit.

In his remark, Davido commended the I-G for listening to the voice of the masses by disbanding SARS across Police Commands in the country.

Davido said the visit was to have a discussion with the I-G and ensure that the disbanded officers were not brought back to the force with a different name or unit to continue to harass Nigerians.

He called on the I-G to ensure proper training for personnel of the disbanded squad and punishment for those brutalising Nigerians.

The singer urged the I-G to ensure that the disbanded SARS remained disbanded until after undergoing psychological evaluation and training.

“We are here with five demands; firstly, we want to solicit for the immediate release of all arrested protesters and ensure justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.

“We want you to set up an independent body to oversee the investigation and submission of all reports of police misconduct.

“In line with the new Police Act, we want psychological evaluation and training for all disbanded police officers before redeployment with those found wanting charged.

“We also want increase in police salaries so that they can adequately discharge their duties without favour,” he said.

Recall the I-G had on Sunday ordered the dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) across Police Commands in the country.

Adamu, at a media briefing, said the dissolution was in response to the yearnings of Nigerians, adding that all officers and men of the defunct SARS were being redeployed with immediate effect.

The IG said the force was not oblivious of the need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was before now the core mandate of the erstwhile Squad.

However, despite the dissolution of SARS, protests are still ongoing in some parts of the country.

October 12, 2020
#EndSARS: Training of new police unit begins next week – IGP

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has assured the training of a new police unit to take over from the disbanded Special Anti -Robbery Squad (SARS) will commence next week.

Adamu spoke when popular musician, David Adeleke aka Davido, visited him in office on Monday over the ongoing #ENDSARS protests.

He said with SARS being disbanded, there was need to get a new structure to carry out the duties the defunct police unit was carrying out, which is fighting violent crimes.

He said the new outfit would be intelligence -driven, properly trained and only act on special occasions that require their attention.

He said the unit would be made up of fresh personnel with a fresh orientation and not officers from the scrapped unit.

He said opportunities would be created for members of the public to participate in and make inputs to the formation of the new unit.

Adamu said this was the first time they have decisively taken to dissolve SARS and called for calm as they continue to resolve all the issues.

He said Davido‘s visit to talk about the issue is the best way to deal with the current problem. .

He said in the formation of the new unit corrections would be taken from the experience of SARS.

“We just disbanded yesterday so protesters should calm down and give us time to fix the problem. The general public will be part of the process of getting a new outfit.

“I’m talking to you so I will keep talking to many others and get civil societies involved and get their input towards the new unit,” he said.

The IGP promised to investigate all cases of brutality and bring perpetrators to book.

He said the issue of compensation to the families of those affected by SARS’ would be addressed when investigations are concluded.

“We want justice to be done and justice will be done,” he said.

He said officers of the disbanded would be retrained and given other responsibilities in the Force, but will not be reabsorbed into the new unit.

“We admit the trust gap is wide but we will work to bridge that gap,” he said.

Davido urged every officer part of SARS be relieved of their duties.

Davido demanded the immediate release of all arrested protesters.

He also called for justice for the victims of SARS brutality and compensation for their families.

October 12, 2020