Trending: 10 things to know as two SARS operatives arrested, IG bans FSARS

                               

Following the arrest of two FSARS operatives and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State; INSPR Sale James, INSPR Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties - stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc with immediate effect. 

The grievious misconduct which resulted in impounding the defaulters operational vehicle, immediate commencement of disciplinary procedures, had the Inspector General of Police to further order that no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. 

"They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gears," the IGP stressed. 

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 guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.

Here are 10 things you need to know on the position of the Inspector General of Police on FSARS and Others #IGPPostionOnFSARS:

1. The IGP has banned FSARS, STS and IRT from routine patrol on the streets.

2. The IGP has also banned FSARS, STS and IRT from conventional low-risk duties which includes stop and search, check point, mounting of road blocks,  traffic checks etc, with immediate effect. 

3. The IGP has warned that no Police Officer including personnel of FSARS, STS and IRT is authorised to embark on patrol or tactical assignment on Mufti.

4. The IGP has directed that the FSARS, STS and IRT personnel must appear in their Police Uniforms or approved tactical gear while on official assignment.

5. The IGP has banned the indiscriminate and unauthorised search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.

6. The IGP has directed that personnel of FSARS and other Tactical Squads concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.

7. The IGP has ordered the X-Squard and the Monitoring Unit to monitor erring personnel of FSARS  and other Policemen on the road.

8. The IGP warned that henceforth, the CP incharge of FSARS, CPs in charge of State Commands and FCT as well as their supervisory Zonal AIGs will be held liable for misconduct of personnel of FSARS and Others within their jurisdiction.

9.  In line with paragraph eight (8) above, the IGP has charged the affected AIGs and CPs to ensure an effective supervision of personnel of FSARS and others within their jurisdiction.  

10. The IGP has appealed to citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personel of the force to negatively impact on their confidence and trust in the Police.

Concluding on the press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba,  the IGP reaffirmed his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure.