SARS: IGP bows to Osinbajo’s directive

The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force Ibrahim Idris has bowed to the directive issued by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to overhaul the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

In a statement issued moments after the VP ordered the overhaul of SARS, the IGP appointed a new Commissioner of Police as the overall head of the Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide.

According to the statement, the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad which was previously under the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCIID) will henceforth operate under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja.

The statement by the IGP reads thus in part; “The Inspector General of Police in compliance with the Presidential directives has ordered the immediate overhauling of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to address complaints and allegations on human rights violations against some of the personnel of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) from members of the public in some parts of the Country.

“In the new arrangement, a new Commissioner of Police has been appointed as the overall head of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide.

Read also: Osinbajo responds to cries, orders IGP to reorganise SARS

“The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad previously under the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCIID) is henceforth to operate under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja. The Commissioner of Police (FSARS) is answerable to the Inspector General of Police through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations.

“In observance of full compliance with the Presidential directives, the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad will be intelligence driven and will be restricted to the prevention and detection of Armed Robbery, kidnapping and the apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offenses only.

“New FSARS Commanders are being appointed for the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) across the country that will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) but 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 and Monitoring Unit have been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance with the Presidential directives and apprehend any erring police officer.”

The directive issued by Osinbajo which was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja today (Tuesday) by Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande also directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a panel to probe allegations of rights abuse by the Police unit.

 

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