IG Orders Decentralisation of SARS

IG Orders Decentralisation of  SARS

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate decentralisation of operations of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) unit.

This is as a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja urged Adamu to be professional and non-partisan during the forthcoming general election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that before the current development, operations of SARS were centralised at the Force Headquarters.

SARS operations were recently reorganised following alleged unethical conduct by personnel of the unit.

Adamu gave the order yesterday at a meeting with officers in the rank of Commissioners of Police and above in Abuja.

He said that with the new arrangement, commissioners of police in the 36 states and the FCT would assume full command and control on all SARS in their commands.

The police boss said henceforth the SARS unit in the force headquarters, would be under the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID).

He said that the DIG FCIID and CPs would be held liable for any professional misconduct resulting from the operations of the units in their commands.

Adamu also directed them to evaluate the units in their commands and submit a report to his office within two weeks.

The police boss also announced the disbandment of the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) and other quasi-investigation and operation units of the force.

He said that the DIG FCIID would take over and review all cases being currently handled by the units.

Adamu said that a comprehensive reorganisation of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counterterrorism unit and Special Protection Unit (SPU) would be undertaken.

“This re-positioning process will eventually cascade down to the zonal and state command levels,” he said.

The IG said that the essence of the reorganisation was to restore order and stop the current slide in policing standards.

Adamu also said it would discourage the proliferation of multiplicity of outfits competing for operational space in unprofessional manner.

He said that the capacity of personnel of the force would be enhanced towards situating its operations within the practice of intelligence-led policing.

He said that at the end of the reform, a protocol that would document its outcome would be developed.

The police boss charged the officers to remain dedicated to their duties by exhibiting the highest level of leadership and character.

Meanwhile, a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday in Abuja urged Adamu to be professional and non-partisan during the forthcoming general election.

Speaking during a news briefing by the coalition, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) , Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, said the 2019 election is critical to Nigeria’s democracy.

Rafsanjani said the call on the police was imperative due to its role in protecting the civil populace during elections.

“We call on the new I-G to ensure that his officers take a non-partisan posture by ensuring that those who will attempt to cause violence are dealt with.

“As the general election approaches, Nigerians and the international community are concerned about the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.

He further called on security agencies to equip their personnel for effective service delivery during the election.

Executive Director YIAGA AFRICA, Mr. Samson Itodo, called for transparency in the procurement of military equipment in the country.

Itodo said the group is against payment of security votes to political leaders, describing it as `pillage of national resources’

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