BREAKING: IGP bans FSARS from patrols, ‘stop and search’ duties

The Inspector - General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti -Robbery Squad from routine patrols.

He also banned other tactical squads of the force , including the Special Tactical Squad, Intelligence Response Team, Anti - Cultism Squad, and other squads operating at the Federal , Zonal , and Command levels , from carrying out routine patrols .

They were also banned from conducting other conventional low - risk duties – stop and search duties , checkpoints , mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks , etc – with immediate effect .

This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer , Frank Mba , on Sunday .

The statement titled , ‘ IGP bans FSARS, other police tactical squads from routine patrols’ , added that “In addition , no personnel of the Force is authorised to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti . They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear . ”

The statement came a few hours after condemnations greeted the alleged shooting of a young man in front of a hotel in the Ughelli area of Delta State by some SARS operatives .

The statement read in part , “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 these guises to perpetrate all forms of illegality , contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure , 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 unauthorised 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 .

“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 .

“He , therefore , charged them to ensure effective supervision and mentoring of the personnel of the Tactical Squads under their jurisdiction . ”