Following the #EndSARS’ campaign inaugurated on Twitter by some Nigerians, the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, has ordered the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide.
The campaign, which has set the social media agog in the last 48 hours, had exposed some of the atrocities committed by the SARS. The IGP, who finally bowed to mounting pressure on Monday, directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and ordered ordred an instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Jimoh Moshood, and made available to journalists, the IGP expressed concern over the recent trends of event in the social media on the #ENDSARSNOW; and the controversy it generated by the weighty allegations and other misconceptions on the operational roles and activities of the SARS, which is a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement noted that while SARS have been doing very well in fighting violent crimes, such as armed robbery, kidnappings and cattle rustling in the country in the recent time just as these efforts has resulted in the drastic reduction of incidents of the mentioned violent crimes nationwide, it has become necessary following the outcry from Nigerians, to review the activities of SARS.
The IGP said, “In the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police is now the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja. “The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminality in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Areas of responsibilities(AOR). ”
The Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters. A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country.”
Moshood also stated that “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 has been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.
“Furthermore, a new training programme to be organised by the Force in collaboration with some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), local and international NGOs, and other Human Rights Organizations on core Police Duties, Observant of Human Rights and Handling, Care and Custody of Suspects have been directed by the IGP for all Federal SARS personnel nationwide with immediate effect.”
The police force further directed aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any SARS personnel anywhere in the country to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions.
i. IGP X-SQUAD 0902 690 0729 – CALLS 0903 227 8905 – SMS 0903 562 1377 – whatsapp Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com ii. FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU 07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp 08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp Email: bailisfree@gmail.com, pressforabuja@gmail.com Twitter: @PoliceNG www.facebook.com/ngpolice iii. PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU) 08057000001 – Calls Only 08057000002 – Calls Only 08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU
