By Amos Tauna
Kaduna ( Nigeria) – The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police has been re – organized to operate based on International Core Value of Policing with integrity and in line with the rule of law.
Force Public Relations Officer, Moshood in a statement said the Inspector General of Police ordered the exercise which is in the public interest to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for more efficiency and effective service delivery to the people.
The reorganisation is coming from the out cry by Nigerians, who have used the social media to complain and criticise the manner and way the special police unit has been conducting itself.
According to the spokesman statement, there would be instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of SARS across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force.
“The Nigeria Police Force has observed the recent trends of event in the Social Media on the #ENDSARSNOW and the controversy being generated by the innuendos from the allegations and other misconceptions as it concerns the Operational roles and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Undoubtedly, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (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 and this has resulted in drastic reduction of incidents of the mentioned violent crimes nationwide.
“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 criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2017/11/09/crime/nigerian-police-arrest-parade-16-kidnap-robbery-suspects/
“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. 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 program to be organized by the Force in collaboration with some Civil Society Organizations (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 Inspector General of Police for all Federal SARS personnel nationwide with immediate effect.
“However, aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions.
“IGP X-SQUAD, 0902 690 0729 – CALLS, 0903 227 8905 – SMS, 0903 562 1377 – whatsapp and Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com.
“Force Public Complaint Bureau; 07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp, 08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp and Email:bailisfree@gmail.com, pressforabuja@gmail.com.
“Twitter: @PoliceNG; www.facebook.com/ngpolice, Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU); 08057000001 – Calls Only, 08057000002 – Calls Only, 08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only, Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU and
www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU.
