The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu has issued an order banning the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, and other Tactical Police Squads operating at Federal, Zonal, and Command levels from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties including stop and search duties at checkpoints, roadblocks, traffic checks among others with immediate effect.
The IGP in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba announced that the Special Tactical Squad, Intelligence Response Team, Anti-Cultism squad and other Tactical Squads are banned from routine patrols.
He added that no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. Adamu said the operatives of the listed squad must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical wear.
According to the statement, the IGP’s directive comes given the findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the tactical squad hide under these guises to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating procedures, Code of Conduct, and rules of engagement establishing the squad.
Also, the IGP warned the Tactical squad against the invasion of the privacy of citizens, particularly through an indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other devices. He charged them to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.
However, the IGP condemned every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-handedness by some personnel of the squad as he also stated that the SARS and other police Tactical squad remain a critical component of the Force in controlling prevailing and emerging violent crimes in the country.
