Kudos, Knocks As IGP Bans FSARS, SARS, Anti Cultism, Others; The ban may not be the best for the country giving the prevailing communal uproars and security threats occasioned by militants, cultists, bandits and terrorists who have been denounced as the enemy of state in recent times
By Wale Abydeen// The ban of the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the 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, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties – stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, may not be the best for the country giving the prevailing communal uproars and security threats occasioned by militants, cultists, bandits and terrorists who have been denounced as the enemy of state in recent times
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu who ordered immediate restructuring in the operation of the police special units had equally reduced the services of his Intervention Response Team, IRT headed by the famous DCP Abba Kyari few months ago.
While the ban on FSARS, Anti Cultism and others receives applause from a cross section of Nigeria, others decried the return of street gangs in urban communities. The terrified activities of Aiye, eye and other notorious groups send fears to Lagos residents from the Sunday pronouncement by the IGP which was contained in a press release signed by DCP Frank Mba, the police spokesman.
According to Mba, the IGP directed that “no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear”.
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 this guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), 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 unauthorized 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. He however condemns every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the Squads. He has therefore ordered the X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to embark on immediate and massive nationwide monitoring of activities of Tactical Squads and other police officers on the road. They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force.
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 (AOR). He therefore charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens. The operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
The IGP reaffirms his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure. He enjoins the citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personnel of the Force to negatively impact on their belief, confidence and trust in the Police.
Ubong King, a security expert in a telephone conversation with SECURITY MONITOR noted that there is need to sanitize the police structure but the ban on special units and formations may be detrimental to the security of the country. RO Babatunde, an air force personnel opines that only criminally minded person will be rejoicing while security outfit is being disbanded.
Gbenga Soloki, an activist says “no doubt, the street guys will soon have field days wit6h the ban of SARS and anti-cultism units.
But Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Suleiman sees in a different mood, noting that the disbanded units operate too many illegally. Suleiman who recently petitioned the IGP and Police Service Commission over what he termed as “gross abused of police powers being orchestrated by the SARS operatives’ described the ban as a welcome development. “We are happy that the IGP harkened to our joyous tidings. The disbandment of the FSARS, SARS and other special units will reduce extortion and harassment of innocent citizen”.
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