Nigerian Governors Ask IGP To Enforce Ban On F-SARS

The Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi said the forum has thrown its weight behind the directive issued by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu over the ban placed on the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, F-SARS and other tactical squads of the force from routine patrols.

According to a statement issued by Fayemi, the forum noted that the ban would end the menace of F-SARS. Meanwhile, the governors asked the IGP to enforce the ban so that there will be no reversal of the unorthodox enforcement practices being complained against.

However, the Commissioner of Police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS), Imohimi Edgal has started moves towards implementing the IGP’s directives noting that no member of the squad would be issued firearms except for guard duties, at the base and to respond to violent crimes. Edgal said all F-SARS teams on routine patrols had been withdrawn in compliance with Adamu’s order.

According to him, F-SARS officers have the right to wear jackets with the inscription ‘FSARS’. Speaking, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi said he had directed the IGP to strengthen the outfits monitoring the activities of police officers to ensure professionalism.

Dingyadi said that the newly inaugurated Servicom Unit of the ministry had been mandated to work closely with the Police Public Complaint Unit and relevant department of the Police Service Commission to fast-track the resolution of all cases of infractions against police officers.

There has been widespread condemnation of the way F-SARS has been carrying out its duties as some of the operatives of F-SARS have been accused of extrajudicial killings, brutality, and extortion.