IG bans FSARS, other Police Tactical Squads from routine patrols

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad from routine patrols.

The IGP 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.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Sunday said the directive also banned them from conducting other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect.

According to 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.”

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Recalls the statement came 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 said, “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 an indiscriminate and unauthorised search of mobile phones, laptops, and other smart devices,’’ said the statement.

“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.”