The Inspector General of Police, Mr. M.A Adamu, has ordered the immediate ban of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad and other Tactical Squads.

A statement issued by the Federal Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, dated 4th October 2020, with Ref No.CZ5300/FPRD/FHC/ABJ/Vol.3/25, indicates that the Special Tactical Squad(STS), Intelligence Response Team(IRT) and the Anti Cultism Squad at the Federal, Zonal and State Commands were among those on the ban list.

They were stopped from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties, stop and search duties, mounting of checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks etc.

According to the statement, no personnel is authorised to embark on patrols and tactical assignments in mufti, adding that they must always appear in the Police uniforms and other tactical gear.

The Inspector General of Police’s directives comes against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under the guise to perpetrate all forms of illegalities contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP), Code of Conduct establishing the aquads.

The IGP warned against the invasion of privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices, emphasizing that they should concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.

While condemning every act of unprofessionalism, abuse of human rights and high-headedness by some personnel of the squad, the IGP ordered the X-Squad and the monitoring unit to embark on immediate monitoring of activities of the Tactical Squads an other Police Officers on the road.

The statement also emphasized prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of errant officers who violates the directives and the extant regulations of the Force.

The IGP equally warned that henceforth, the Commissioners of Police in charge of FSARS, State Commands and the FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal AIGs will be held liable for any misconduct within their Area of Responsibility(AOR).

Meanwhile, two operatives of the FSARS and a civilian have been arrested in Lagos State for alleged extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.

The suspects are; Inspectors Sale James, Monday Uchiola and a civilian, Okechukwu Ogbonna.

The vehicle allegedly used for their operations was impounded while, disciplinary procedure has been taken against them.