…Governors commend IGP for banning FSARS operations
Ibe Pascal Arogorn
In line with directives of the Inspector-General of Police on measures to curb the excesses of policemen attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (FSARS), and other tactical units, the Commissioner of Police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Imohimi Edgal, embarked on measures towards implementing the police boss’s directives.
According to him, henceforth, no personnel of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), would be issued firearms except for guard duties, at the base, and to respond to violent crimes as they occur.
He stated that all FSARS teams on routine patrol have been withdrawn in compliance with the IGP’s directive.
According to him, in order to improve on the efficiency and effectiveness of FSARS and ensure they uphold the fundamental human rights of the citizens, the unit has drawn up a training/capacity workshop which will kick off this week in Abuja in collaboration with civilian partners and Non-Governmental Organisations, (NGO’s) aimed at emphasising the tenets of rule of law and fundamental rights of Nigerians.
He further said no FSARS personnel will henceforth attend to any violent crimes except he was kitted in his approved jacket to guide members of the public.
In his word, only FSARS operatives have the right to wear a jacket with the inscription ‘FSARS’, saying all other states Special Anti Robbery Squads, (SAR), which are commanded by state commissioners of police are to wear the inscription SARS without F.”
Edgal, therefore, called on state Commissioners and Commanders of tactical units to join hands to ensure the total success of all the directives and reforms regarding FSARS and SARS operations by the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu.
He reassured the public that the era of ‘slap on the wrist or cover-ups’ of any policeman caught involving himself in any matter that will tarnish the image of the force was over, Security and Safety matters reported.
“Henceforth, maximum disciplinary penalty awaits such policemen, he stated.
Governors commend IGP for banning FSARS operations
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, for banning the operations of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and a range of other Tactical Squads of the Force.
The Forum Chairman, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, called for appropriate sanctions against law enforcement officers who had become lawless and irresponsible in the exercise of their duties against ordinary Nigerians.
Fayemi, who is also the Governor of Ekiti State, said that the governors received with great relief and satisfaction the decision to ban the operations of that arm of the force with immediate effect.
“We also completely agree with the directive of the IGP that no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti forthwith.
“This, in our view, will significantly reduce the various infractions of the Force that the ordinary Nigerian people have been complaining about.
“We also believe this will bring an end to the menace of SARS brutality on the people they are meant to protect.
“The IGP’s instructions could not have come at a better time when majority of Nigerians are unhappy with this group of police officers who have routinely engaged in unlawful killings and torture, thereby giving the Force a bad name.
“It is helpful to recall that SARS has been cautioned for the same behaviour before only for it to go back to its old ways.
“Our young people should not be criminalized simply on account of how they look or their mode of dressing or the cars they drive, the type of phones they carry, etc. This is an assault on their fundamental human rights.
We think this is a timely clinical response by the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force and I must commend IGP Adamu for his promptness and boldness.
Fayemi expressed the hope that the announcement would promptly be followed by action and that there would be no reversal to the unorthodox enforcement practices being complained against.
IGP pledges to check extra-judicial activities of FSARS operatives, others
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has pledged to check the extra-judicial activities of some personnel of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Special Tactical Units.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Mba said the IGP made the pledge during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the IGP to the reforms in the Nigeria Police, especially as it concerns the activities of FSARS and other Special Tactical Units.
The FPRO called on Nigerians to exercise patience as the reform in the Force is still in progress, adding that all the measures aimed at stopping extra-judicial activities in the force will be followed to the later.
Mba said the officers who had been found to be unruly and unprofessional in their dealings with the citizens, particularly the youth, have been arrested and are already facing disciplinary actions.
In his remarks, Mba said the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Dare, commended the IGP for his prompt response in tackling the issues of unprofessionalism among some personnel of the force.
Dare also called for stronger collaboration and mutual understanding between the Police and the youth, saying that regular town hall meetings involving the Police Spokespersons, Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and other critical stakeholders at state commands are necessary.
He said the meeting would strengthen synergy between the police and the citizens, especially the youth.
