The Inspector General of the
Nigeria Police Force, Idris Kpotun Ibrahim, has ordered the immediate
re-organization of special anti-robbery squad (SARS). The IGP’s directive came on the heels of calls for the
proscription of SARS whose operatives have been accused of maltreating innocent
Nigerians.
In a statement on Monday, Idris also ordered the immediate
investigation of alleged crimes of torture levelled against the anti-robbery
squad.
The IGP said the move to reorganise the police unit is to
ensure that it operates “based on international core value of policing with
integrity and (to) make sure the rule of law prevails in the operations and
activities of the outfit”.
A statement issued today by Jimoh
Moshood - the Force Public Relations Officer, reads;
The Nigeria Police Force has
observed the recent trends of event in the Social Media on the #ENDSARSNOW and
the controversy being generated by the innuendos from the allegations and other
misconceptions as it concerns the Operational roles and activities of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.
Undoubtedly, the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been doing very well in fighting violent crimes
such as Armed Robbery, Kidnappings and Cattle Rustling in the country in the
recent time and this has resulted in drastic reduction of incidents of the
mentioned violent crimes nationwide.
However, the Inspector General of
Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni concerned with public interest and the
need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency
and effective service delivery to all Nigerians and ensure that the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operates based on International Core Value of
Policing with integrity and make sure the rule of law prevails in the
operations and activities of the outfit, the IGP has directed the immediate
re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and instant
investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled
against the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad across the country by
the IGP X-Squad of the Force.
In the new arrangement, a
Commissioner of Police is now the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery
Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja.
The Police Zonal Commands, State
Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections,
crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect
crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack
squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties
in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).
Federal Anti-Robbery Squad
(FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the
Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters. A Federal SARS
Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below
Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal
Commands across the Country.
All Commissioners of Police have
been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive
with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives.
The IGP X-Squad has been mandated
to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict
compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.
Furthermore, a new training
program to be organized by the Force in collaboration with some Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs), Local and International NGOs, and other Human Rights
Organizations on core Police Duties, Observant of Human Rights and Handling,
Care and Custody of Suspects have been directed by the Inspector General of
Police for all Federal SARS personnel nationwide with immediate effect.
However, aggrieved members of the
public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their
rights by any Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the
country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation
and further actions. i. IGP X-SQUAD 0902 690 0729 – CALLS 0903 227 8905 – SMS
0903 562 1377 – whatsapp Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com
ii. FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU
07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp 08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp Email:
bailisfree@gmail.com, pressforabuja@gmail.com Twitter: @PoliceNG
www.facebook.com/ngpolice
iii. PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID
RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU) 08057000001 – Calls Only 08057000002 – Calls Only
08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU
www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU
If you down grade SARS, crime and criminality is going to be too much.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIf you call Sars about a robbery incidence going on and yahoo boys on the move...they will not even answer you about the robbery...if you see the way they will pursue the yahoo guys ehhhh.....the Sars we knew have lost their focus...needs scraping or total overhaul and reorientation
ReplyDelete