TheNewsGuru

Tag: SARS

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

    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.”

  • BREAKING: Northern governors meet Buhari, reject disbandment of SARS

    BREAKING: Northern governors meet Buhari, reject disbandment of SARS

    The 19 northern governors have rejected the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    Simon Lalong, Plateau state governor and chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, told State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Thursday that the police unit has been useful in the fight against insecurity in the region.

    “SARS is not made up of bad elements alone as it also includes personnel who are doing their work diligently,” he said.

    Lalong said what is needed is the reformation of the unit to enable it discharge its functions “optimally”.

    Recall, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of SARS on Sunday following nationwide protests against alleged human rights violations by the unit.

    But the protests continued as the #EndSARS campaigners demanded the prosecution of all officers named in cases of rights abuses.

    The protests have spread across the country and have persisted for days.

  • #EndSARS: FCTA bans protests in Abuja

    #EndSARS: FCTA bans protests in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Security Committee has banned #EndSARS demonstrations in Abuja, for alleged violation of COVID-19 protocol violations.

    The FCT Administration said it was concerned that despite the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, last Sunday, the protests had continued, causing hardship to law-abiding citizens.

    The resolutions of the meeting were contained in a statement on Wednesday titled,’COVID-19: FCT Security Committee prohibits street demonstrations,’ signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye.

    The meeting which held on Tuesday to review the security situation in the FCT and address identified challenges, was coordinated by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello and had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, heads of the various security agencies and military formations in the FCT, senior members of staff of the FCTA, representatives of religious and traditional institutions as well as Area Council chairmen.

    The statement read, “While the committee recognizes the rights of citizens as regards freedom of association and movement as enshrined in the constitution, it has observed that the unruly conduct of the crowd and manner of demonstrations are in complete violation of the COVID-19 safety protocols which were put in place to safeguard the lives of citizens.

    “These violations endanger the lives of not just the demonstrators, but also other citizens going about their legitimate concerns.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the COVID-19 guidelines regulating public gatherings recommend physical distancing, temperature checks, the use of facial coverings, amongst others.

    “Clearly, all these guidelines were flouted by the protesters. Consequently, the committee directs that due to the dangers posed by COVID-19, all street demonstrations, protests and processions will not be allowed anywhere within the FCT.”

    The committee agreed with satisfaction the directive by the President, Muhammadu Buhari to the IGP to disband the SARS as well as other reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police.

     

  • No SARS officer will be part of new SWAT team- Police

    No SARS officer will be part of new SWAT team- Police

    The police say no former operative of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will be part of the new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.

    Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), dissolved SARS on Sunday, following a nationwide outrage.

    Despite the pronouncement of the IGP on SARS, protests have continued in different parts of the country.

    On Tuesday Adamu set up SWAT in lieu of the now disbanded SARS and said members of the new unit would commence training next week.

    Advertisement

    The inspector-general of police also ordered the former SARS operatives to report to the force headquarters for debriefing and psychological evaluation.

    But many of the protesters have said SWAT would be made up of the disbanded SARS officials, hence the reason they have continued with the demonstration.

    In a series of tweets on Wednesday, the police said the new unit has five cardinal points as its mandate which includes responding to robbery attacks and rescue operations.

    “Mandate of the new TACTICAL team is strictly restricted to; Response to robbery attacks, Response to scenes of weapon-related crimes, Rescue operations, [and] Special operations involving high profile criminals,” Frank Mba, force public relations officer, said in a tweet.

    “No personnel of the defunct SARS will be selected to be part of the new TACTICAL team. Operations of the new TACTICAL team will be strictly intelligence-driven.

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

    “Operatives of the new TACTICAL team must be free of any pending disciplinary matter especially those touching on misuse of firearms and abuse of human rights.”

  • BREAKING: IGP inaugurates unit to replace disbanded SARS

    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.”

  • BREAKING: Gov Zulum asks IGP to deploy abled SARS to fight Boko Haram in Borno

    BREAKING: Gov Zulum asks IGP to deploy abled SARS to fight Boko Haram in Borno

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has urged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to deploy able men in the recently dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squard (SARS) to his state to combat terrorism.

    Zulum made the call in Maiduguri on Tuesday when he received the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Argebesola.

    Zulum said the SARS had made a mark by using their energy and aggression against boko haram.

    “We are not in support of brutality by any security outfit, but to be sincere, here in Borno State the efforts of SARS operatives in the counter insurgency operations need not to be overemphasized. They are doing a wonderful job in containing the security situation in Borno State. They have greatly supplemented the efforts of the Nigerian Military.

    Details soon!

  • My daughter almost lost her life to SARS operatives -Ooni

    My daughter almost lost her life to SARS operatives -Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has recognized the ongoing protest against brutality and extortion by Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives.

    Ogunwusi recounted on Twitter that his 25-year-old daughter once had a horrible experience with SARS operatives that almost made her lose her life.

    The monarch stated that he was happy that the youths of Nigeria were finally standing up for their rights.

    Tweeting through his handle, @OoniAdimulaIfe, he said, “I understand your plight, my 25 year old daughter had a nasty experience with SARS, almost losing her life. On her way to the airport, she was stopped and terribly ransacked and surrounded by fully armed plain clothes policemen in a bus, detained for close to 30 minutes of thorough questioning.

    “Imagine a young female for that matter; all her belongings completely searched all because she was with a laptop on an official assignment from her office in Lagos. I can only imagine the countless ones that have lost their lives from such ordeals, may their souls rest in peace.
    “I assure you that this is the beginning of greater things to come in Nigeria. I implore you to demand for more, but plead with you to do so in a peaceful manner, as anything outside of that will cause unnecessary havoc for all.”

    The king said he was aware that some demonstrators had been unfairly arrested by the police.

    He said he would do everything to ensure that they are freed.

    Ogunwusi urged the police to understand that the protests would also improve the welfare of men and women of the Force and asked them to see it as such.

    The monarch said: “I have been informed of many innocent souls that were arrested and currently being detained, be rest assured that I am pursuing the matter and they will be set free.

    “To the men and women of the Nigerian police force, be assured that this movement is also for you, we know you are humans also and your reality is as a result of your environment.

    “This movement demands better on your behalf, and is aimed at pushing the government to do better for you and elevate your standard of living. Do not persecute your advocates. God bless Nigerian youths and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

     

  • Okowa hails IGP’s decision to disband SARS

    Okowa hails IGP’s decision to disband SARS

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The governor in a statement personally signed by him, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Asaba, said the disbandment was a decisive response to the legitimate concerns of Nigerians.

    Okowa described the disbandment of the squad as a “welcome development’’, and commended the Police for not suppressing the protests.

    “The Nigerian youth can take pride in the fact that they have won a major victory for the right to free movement and association without let or hindrance,” he said.

    Okowa added that the disbandment was a visible demonstration of how government agencies should respond to the grievances of the people and agitations for justice and good governance in a democracy.

    “Finally, let me say that the IGP should not stop at disbanding SARS. That is but one step in the multiple steps required in carrying out a comprehensive reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “Such a reform should cover matters relating to recruitment, training and welfare of the rank and file,” Okowa said.

  • Criminal elements among SARS must be expelled, prosecuted – Pastor Bakare

    Criminal elements among SARS must be expelled, prosecuted – Pastor Bakare

    Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos on Sunday called on the Nigeria Police to expel and prosecute criminal elements among the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
    Pastor Bakare made the call during the Sunday Service at the Citadel Church formerly the Latter Rain Assembly at Oregun, Lagos.
    Bakare, who commended the disbandment of SARS, said he was confident that this generation would succeed his own failed generation.
    “It is with a heavy heart I have followed the #EndSARS protests, as young and older Nigerians are united in rejecting harassment, humiliation and the coldblooded murder of their fellow citizens.
    “I recognise this movement for what it is: a wholesale rejection of the barrage of needless frustrations and degradations that define the Nigerian experience.
    “You simply cannot police a people without their cooperation, and you cannot obtain the cooperation of the people for a tactical unit they no longer trust.
    “We must find a balance between retaining the anti-robbery intention and re-evaluating the identity of the vehicle by first expelling and prosecuting the criminal elements among the rank and file and the leadership,” he said.
    Bakare added that the country must re-evaluate, restructure, rebrand and rebuild confidence in an efficient and effective anti-robbery tactical unit.
    “There is a threshold of decency below which no human being must fall, and I reject any status quo where citizens become disposable or the right to life becomes negotiable.
    “I acknowledge the comments and efforts of the presidency, state governments, the national and state assemblies, and the NPF,” Bakare said.
    He said it was evident that SARS was created with noble anti-robbery intentions, however, the grave irony was that it had become a grotesque embodiment of the problem it was created to solve.
    “This savage Nigerian-on-Nigerian cannibalism must end, and I expect a decisive and lasting solution to be implemented.
    “May the souls of the departed rest in peace and may the living forge a nation worthy of the resounding courage of the young men and women of the #EndSARS movement,” Bakare said.
  • SARS disbandment is victory for Nigerian youths – Sanwo-Olu

    SARS disbandment is victory for Nigerian youths – Sanwo-Olu

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday said the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a victory for the Nigerian youths following nationwide protests against the squad.

    He disclosed this on Sunday in Ikeja upon his return from Ondo where he led as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the governorship election.

    While commending the youths for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves during the protests, Governor Sanwo-Olu believes their actions have shown what democracy truly stands for.

    “This is actually a victory for our youths. This is a victory because your voice has been heard. So if you say this is not the first time, this is the first time they are disbanding it,” he said.

    “Other pronouncements have been we will do something but there has been clear communication and they have rolled out all of the various things they are going to be doing.”

    The governor also called on the youths to sheathe their swords following the positive response to their demands.

    He wants the young population to collaborate with the police authorities by forming themselves into groups aimed at providing a citizen-oriented policing structure.

    Reacting to the just concluded Ondo governorship election, Sanwo-Olu commended the people of the state for supporting the APC.

    According to the governor, the people’s choice of the party’s candidate in the poll, Rotimi Akeredolu is a victory for democracy.

    The governor’s response followed days of widespread protests by Nigerians demanding to scrap of the unit which had gained notoriety for brutality and human rights violations.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who announced the scrapping of the unit, acknowledged reports of extortion and brutality, announcing a plan for an investigation.