Personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS have been banned from carrying out routine patrols.
The ban was issued by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu after findings by the leadership of the force revealed that a few personnel of the tactical squad perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to its Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, code of conduct and rules of engagement.
The Heritage Times presents 7 Things You Should Know as the ban takes immediate effect.
1. Not just FSARS:
The ban and conditions surrounding it applies to all tactical squads of the police 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.
2. Not just routine patrols:
In addition to being banned from carrying out routine patrols, Federal SARS and other special squads were also banned from registering their presence at checkpoints, carrying out stop and search DUTIES, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc.
3. Uniform is a must:
Interestingly, the ban helps the good people of Nigeria to differentiate between police and armed robbers as it mandates personell of the force to only appear in their uniform or approved tactical gears.
4. No more invasions of privacy:
The end is in sight for non stop complaints from youth who accuse FSARS and other special squads of searching their phones, laptops and other digital devices. The IGP in his directives communicating the ban warned against such unscrupulous acts of the invasion of citizens’ privacy.
5. Back to base:
The ban clearly states that FSARS and other police tactical squads are to only respond to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises. In other words, they have been confined to carrying out the primary functions which they were set up for.
6. Prosecution of erring officers:
As part of effort geared toward ensuring full compliance of the ban, the IGP has ordered the X-Squad and the monitoring unit of the force to carryout immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of tactical squads and of other police officers on the road. The X-Squad and monitoring unit will ensure the prompt arrest and prosecution of officers that violate directives of the ban and other extant regulations of the force.
7. Help make the police force better:
You can play your part in ensuring transperancy and Accountability of FSARS and other tactical squads by making complaints and recommendations to the contact details below:
IGP Monitoring Unit:
08036242591
FSARS:
08038537625
08036067446
08036059332
08069702133
FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU
07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp
08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp
Email: pressforabuja@police.gov.ng
Twitter: @PoliceNG
facebook.com/ngpolice
COMPLAINT RESPONSE UNIT (CRU)
08057000001 – Calls Only
08057000002 – Calls Only
08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only
Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU
https:///LdiDule9vM
