The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FSARS

  • Gunmen kill man in Anambra

    A middle-aged man was at the weekend shot dead by armed robbers in Ire village, Ogidi, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, Ifeanyi Nwanga was reportedly shot with a gun in Ifite dunu after he was robbed around 4:30 pm.

    The State Police public relations Officer, haruna mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects have been arrested.

    He said they were nabbed following intelligence report.

    He gave their names as Chimezie Aronu (22) Uchenna Obiora (18) and Chibuike Omankwu (20).

    He said, “At about 4 am, following intelligence report, Police Operatives attached to Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) Akwuzu arrested the syndicate at Ire village, Ogidi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.”

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    Mohammed said one cut-to-size single barrel gun and one cartridge were recovered from the suspects.

    “The suspects have confessed to the crime and have also led the Police to the place where they hide the weapon used in perpetrating the dastardly act,” he added.

    Similarly, a 22-year-old man has been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a motorbike in Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka local government area of the state.

    The suspect, Chidioke Chinedu was said to have robbed the victim together with his gang members.

    The State Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed also confirmed the arrest.

    He said both cases were under investigation, assuring that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.

  • FSARS operative allegedly shot dead LASTMA official in Lagos

    A police inspector attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja on Wednesday allegedly shot dead an official with the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) while controlling traffic.

    Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria that the LASTMA official, named Adeyemo Rotimi, was shot dead at Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos.

    It was gathered that the LASTMA official was shot dead when he challenged the policeman, identified as Joseph Oki, for disobeying traffic rules.

    It was also  learnt that the victim, popularly known as ‘Baba Ibeji’, had stopped the police inspector who was driving a cream coloured Highlander jeep with registration number plate LSR 277 BJ to allow free flow of traffic.

    It was gathered that the LASTMA official reportedly scolded the policeman for flouting traffic rules.

    According to sources, the policeman, who felt insulted by Adeyemo’s warning, allegedly pulled a pistol and shot the LASTMA official in the eye, killing him on the spot.

    NAN learnt that the policeman attempted to flee the scene but was stopped by the mob.

    It was gathered that some policemen in the area reportedly rescued the FSARS officer from the angry crowd who also damaged his vehicle.

    Contacted, Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, did not deny the incident.

    “I am writing a release on the incident,” Oti said.

  • ‘How petrol attendant, supervisor planned robbery’

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, on Monday in Lagos, told newsmen that a petrol attendant and his supervisor, planned and robbed the filling station where they worked.

    The CP, who briefed the press at the Lagos Police Command, said the police received information on a robbery operation at a filling station at Igbo-Elerin area of Lagos and later moved in on the suspects.

    He said that on Oct. 28 at 9 p.m., the police received information that some armed men were sighted at a filling station dispossessing attendants and customers of their valuables.

    “The divisional policemen and the operatives of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) were immediately deployed to the scene but the hoodlums disappeared before their arrival.

    “Later in the night, the hoodlums were trailed to their hideout, where six of the suspects were arrested with two guns while one axe was recovered.

    “The suspects during investigation, revealed that a supervisor and one of the fuel attendants at the filling station were the masterminds of the robbery.

    “They also confessed that they usually robbed the filling stations within the area,” Edgal said.

    In a similar development, a group of armed robbers, specialising in using commercial buses to dispossess unsuspecting passengers of their valuables has been intercepted at the Surulere area of Lagos.

    According to the CP, the police has deployed operatives of FSARS to go after the fleeing Volkswagen bus, which has some passengers as hostages.

    “The vehicle was later intercepted and three of the suspects were arrested.

    “The suspects confessed to be making around N300, 000 whenever they made the operation.

    “We have been receiving reports on this crime for a while and we are sure that this arrest will serve as a deterrent to other criminals in the act,” Edgal said.

  • CP to FSARS: respect rights

     The Lagos State Police Command has trained 140 officers in human rights protection, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA.

    After one-month intensive training, 140 officers have graduated   in “Advanced Human Rights and Community Policing Standards”.

    The event took place at the event hall of the Police Officers’ Mess in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Participants are made up of 90 personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and 50 other police officers attached to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, majorly from the administrationun it of the 109 Divisions under the command.

    The training, facilitated by the Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) and the Lagos State Command, followed a barrage of complaints against FSARS operatives by members of the public.

    Lawyers from the human right groups participated in the training as resource persons.

    They delivered papers on  Advanced Human Rights, Torture Prevention, Extra-Judicial Killing, Code of Conduct at Elections, Police Disciplinary Procedure and Administration of Criminal Act 2015.

    It followed a similar one the non governmental organisation (NGO) organised for Anambra State Command.

    A total of  145 SARS operatives attached to the command were trained on different aspects human rights and how the police could avoid  abuse of suspects related.

    The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, challenged the graduating officers and men to be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force by promoting human rights in all their activities.

    Imohimi who was represented by his Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration, Elkanah Ayuba, challenged the officers to put into practice the knowledge they have acquired from the human rights training.

    He told the FSARS officers in particular that the Inspector General of Police was not happy with the human rights abuses by some of them.

    He said  there was an urgent need for them to change their ways, adding , “whenever any officer abused the rights of other people, curses would go with the officer just as those who promoted peace and positive attitude in their operations would be  divinely blessed”.

    He emphasised that they should be mindful of their conduct particularly during the forthcoming general elections.

    The police boss enjoined them to shun gratification of any kind from politicians, warning that policing was a profession they have chosen as a career and should not allow anybody to destroy it.

    ”Always remember that you are family breed winners, so if anything wrong happens to you, your dependants would suffer”, he admonished them.

    In an opening remarks, founder and Executive Director, CRIVIFON, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji disclosed that the training was necessitated by the need to reform officers and men of SARS in line with global best practices that thrive on human rights.

    According to her, even though officers and men were part of the programme, emphasis was placed more on reform of the FSARS.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in-charge of training, Victor Okono-Toyo  admonished the officers  to be tolerant of  criticisms by the public.He advised them to reflect on such negative criticisms and think of what they can do to change such negative perceptions.

    He also counseled them to review their procedure of collecting money from the public saying that since such money was not willingly given and does not have the divine blessing, nothing good will come out of it.

    The ‘ClThe ‘Class Governor’, Godfrey Soriwei, a Superintendent of Police, said they have always had the impression that application of human right is difficult adding that with the knowledge impacted on them by the facilitators, they have come to realize that it would pose no problem to them.

    Soriwei said they have also realized that the application of human rights is something they cannot do without in the course of performance of their duties. He advised that such training should be extended to the lower cadres described as their foot soldiers.

    ”We give instructions to them from the top on what they must do, but they also need to be trained because they are the first point of contact with the public. How they respond to complaints will influence the perception of the Police by the public”, he suggested.

     

     

  • Germany, IG train FSARS operatives on human rights, others

    The German Foreign Office and the office of the Inspector-General of Police ( IG ) on Monday commenced a two-week human rights training for 135 operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( FSARS ) in Lagos.

    The training is part of the reformation of the unit which was carried out in line with presidential directive. The presidency had ordered the overhaul of FSARS following public outcry on alleged infractions by the operatives.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the training at Police College Ikeja, IG Ibrahim Idris said it was a holistic approach to enhance the performance of the participants comprising commanders, team leaders and foot soldiers of FSARS.

    Idris who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of training Emmanuel Inyang said the exercise would be of immense benefit to the force.

    He said: “Let me remind you that SARS was initially established to take charge of specific functions pertaining to crime prevention and control, but their direct contact with members of the public has brought conflict, friction and perceived human rights abuses and the inherent complaints arising from the performance of their duties.

    “The need by the present leadership to reposition the FSARS through capacity building calls for training and retraining of the officers and men. Therefore, there is no doubt whatsoever that this training will provide the necessary platform for all the participants, particularly the foot soldiers of FSARS to understand the necessity of imbibing human rights tenets at their duty posts and be able to identify problem areas, advance possible solutions to such problems.

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    “This effort by the police managment and GIZ Police Programme on Human Right in restructuring the FSARS will certainly be of immense benefit to the Nigeria Police Force. FSARS personnel will be re-equipped with the essential knowlege of human rights, proactive policing, collection of intelligence and the provision of a pragmatic approach to investigate activities and support to police stations.”

    He warns errant officers to desist from practices injurious to the police or face the wrath, adding that those who perform well would be rewarded.

    Earlier, GIZ’s Deputy Project Manager, Police Project Africa in Nigeria, Hartmut Zander said the German Governement stepped in to offer training assistance in order to contain cases of human rights abuse.

    Zander said: “Around 135 police officers from over 36 states are going to be trained by internal police trainers as well as external resource persons in relevant human rights principals, which apply to different police interventions.

    “By combining theoretical knowledge and standards, with practical aspects of human rights-centred police work, the training covers a broad range of related topics such as principles of use of force and firearms, investigations arrest and detention.”

    On the level of compliance by FSARS operatives on the directive that they should concern themselves with kidnapping and armed crimes, Commissioner Haliru Gwandu said appreciable progress was being made.

    Gwandu said: “For the purpose of reforms and to enhance competence and professionalism, a Standard Operational Procedure(SOP) was designed to guide the operations of the reformed FSARS. For now there is no problem as the number of litigations have reduced. Our personnel have shown that they are ready for change.”

    Also at the inauguration was the Commissioner, Police College Ikeja Adekinte Oyekan.

  • SARS or FSARS?

    What Nigerians want is wholesale reform

    THE #ENDSARS campaign that swept through the country most of last year appears to be yielding fruit, at last. Barely 24 hours after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) to reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that several of its officers and men had been involved in brutalisation of hapless citizens over the years, the IGP rolled out new measures that he deemed would transform the squad.

    The 11-point agenda includes a change of name to Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS). The reorganisation will see the squad headed by a commissioner of police under the supervision of the deputy inspector-general in charge of operations. The arm of police is no longer empowered to detain, and is to report directly, in the states, to the commissioner in charge of the state command. Civil society groups are to partner with the police in putting a check on the squad’s possible excesses, while telephone numbers of those who could rein in the officers and men are published.

    These are laudable measures if they are carried out sincerely. We hope the Federal Government would not leave the supervision to the IGP’s X-Squad. The presidency should constantly take interest in its operations by putting in place a feedback mechanism from the general public.

    Training is a very important component of the reform. The training currently at the Police College in Lagos, and the Kano-based Police Academy is apparently inadequate. Collaboration with foreign police training institutions is urgently needed to check the spate of armed robbery and kidnapping in the country.

    We agree with Professor Osinbajo that basing investigation of crimes on the barbaric torturing of suspects is unacceptable in the 21st Century. The Nigeria Police Force has to step up its intelligence unit. Modern investigation and the consequent prosecution of suspects are, the world over, based on gathering of intelligence. To make a success of this, the police force must partner with the public. At the moment, the contention that “the police is your friend” is glib. Most Nigerians see the police as a relic of the colonial authorities.

    But it is not enough to blame SARS and the entire police force for the flaws. The men are exposed to danger without adequate protection and equipment. If the public perception is to change, relying on the military to arrest all forms of unrest must stop, and this can only be done when the reform is taken beyond the new name, uniform and kit. Taking the FSARS off the streets and elevating their operation beyond “stop and search” will necessitate adequate deployment of technology in all nooks and crannies of the country. It also entails collaboration with sister security agencies.

    It is gladdening that the reorganisation of SARS is being undertaken at a time the National Economic Council has decided to decentralise and reform the police force. We hope the appointment of the Inspector-General of Police as head of the panel saddled with the task will not stand in the way. As head of the force as constituted at the moment, the IGP is not in the best position to handle the assignment.

    Crimes generally, and armed robbery specifically, have turned Nigeria into the Hobbesian state of nature where life is short and brutish. They must be tackled headlong without subjecting Nigerians to sub-human treatment. SARS or FSARS, a change of name is too cosmetic to tame the monster that the anti-robbery squad has become. A wholesale reform is not what the IGP alone can come up with immediately. So, the Police Service Commission, Police Council and Ministry of Interior should be brought into designing a new body to combat the crimes.

     

  • From SARS to FSARS

    Folks, it is transition from Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).

    Will this preceding “F” (normally meaning “failure” in conventional educational terms) leap into an ironic success, in the operation and perception of this otherwise vital arm of crime-fighting, which nevertheless had acquired some notoriety of late?

    A few months ago, there was an impassioned campaign on the social media asking for the scrapping of SARS.  But with absolutely no prejudice to the campaign’s strong points, it was at best an emotive campaign.

    If you scrapped SARS, and armed robbery, kidnapping and allied violent crimes for which it was set up were still alive, what might be the logical reason to scrap it?  If you did, would it not logically follow, other things being equal, that those crimes would soar — with disastrous consequences?

    But that the campaign was emotive didn’t equal it was wrong.  Now, if police personnel were detailed to fight a certain crime, and they seized that platform to commit sundry abuses and crimes, then that particular effort is wasted.  But it still doesn’t cancel out the need to face down on the crime.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo eventually figured that out when he, on August 14, ordered an “overhaul” of SARS.  The result is FSARS , thanks to the admirable speed, with which the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, responded, ringing out changes in the new FSARS structure.

    No one should get excited over the new FSARS — its new centralised line of command: from the Federal Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) to the Office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Operations; its new head, a brand new Commissioner of Police (CP), as against a slew of local police potentates; and its newfound intelligence-drive and restriction to prevention and detection of robberies and kidnappings.

    That would be as good as the new personages to drive the outfit are ready to turn a new leaf.  It can’t be open sesame, the instant snapping of finger and things falling in line?  No.  The new structure is nothing to be excited about. After all, one former IGP changed the Nigeria Police Force to Nigeria Police.  But how much has changed?

    Still, there is an exciting thing about the new set-up: a psychological examination of FSARS operatives nationwide and the creation of a human rights desk.  The one would determine the wellness and emotional balance of the the troopers.  The other, to act as human rights check.  These are two welcome initiatives.

    What FSARS needs is sweeping reforms and not scrapping.  This is a good re-starting point to wean the old SARS from its old notoriety.  Whoever emerges the new FSARS CP has a good opportunity to build a legacy — from the notorious SARS of old to the new, popular new FSARS.

    Still, the transition won’t be easy.  Indeed, it might be as difficult as as turning “F” in educational terms, to “Excellent”.  That could take some doing¡

  • Four policemen detained as FSARS ‘kill’ teenager

    Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja yesterday shot a teenager dead in Lagos.

    The incident occurred at Ilepo, Satellite Town, while the operatives were said to be chasing criminals.

    It was gathered that they fired sporadic shots, one of which hit the teenager, said to be on errand.

    The news of the teenager’s death sparked protests on the social media, fuelling the clamour for the scrapping of the FSARS.

    Reacting to the incident, police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) said four of the policemen had been detained for questioning.

    Oti said: “The attention of the Commissioner Police (CP) has been drawn to the news making the rounds on the social media that SARS operatives accidentally shot and killed an eighteen-year-old boy at Satellite Town Lagos.

    “In view of the unfortunate incident, the CP ordered that the policemen involved be arrested for questioning.

    “However, it must be stated that the FSARS operatives left their base in Ikeja today August 1, to Satellite Town, Lagos, with a clear directive to arrest notorious armed bandits that have made life unbearable for the people of the area.

    “They succeeded in arresting one of the hoodlums but the rest of the gang opened fire on the policemen leading to a shootout.

    “The CP has ordered an investigation into the matter. The team is mandated to investigate, arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable in the shooting saga- civilians and policemen alike.

    “Further development on this matter would be communicated to the public as usual.”

  • Police uncover ‘illegal’ blood bank in Lagos, arrest suspect

    For allegedly running an illegal blood bank in Bariga, a 45-year-old man, Paul Achegbulu has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

    Achegbulu was arrested by a team led by Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal Tuesday after detectives got information that the suspect was draining blood from children in his one-room apartment and selling same to some clinics.

    It was gathered that the police team recovered seven pints of blood from his 18, Kusa Bus Stop, Bariga residence.

    According to residents, trouble started for the suspect on June 10, after he drew two pints of blood from a 17-year-old boy, Ayomide Adesanya, which made the victim to pass out.
    He was said to have also drawn two pints from the same victim on June 4, and on each day, he gave the victim N2, 000.

    Imohimi, who also visited Adesanya at the hospital he was admitted after he passed out, told reporters that the suspect lured underage children with the N2, 000 offer, while he confessed that he sold the blood for N7, 000.

    He said: “Adesanya became weak after donating four pints of blood. He collapsed and is currently receiving treatment at the Bariga Hospital.

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    “The mother told us that the daughter’s friend informed them of Adesanya’s condition after she saw him on a bike.”

    But the suspect said he did not know Adesanya was underage, adding that the victim told him he was 20-year-old.

    “It was when his parents came to confront me that I knew he was 17. He told me he was 20. I am a lab scientist. I was trained five years ago at Nigerian Institute of Laboratory Science Technology.

    “Lab technicians from hospitals used to come and buy blood from me. I used to sell the blood through my assistant, Alfa. He’s the one who knows the hospitals he sold to. I do not know where he is at the moment.”

    Condemning the action, a group, Child Protection Network (CPN) said the blood were collected with a cannula in a stuffy room, where the suspect lived with his nursing wife and their baby.

    The group’s coordinator, Ebenezer Omejalile decried the use of the blood by hospitals, noting that they were neither screened for HIV, Hepatitis or other communicable diseases.

    “Adesanya is currently on blood transfusion at the hospital. He was moved to Somolu General Hospital by his parents and as of 5pm, he was receiving his second pint of blood.

    “We demand the investigation and arrest of all those who have been buying blood from Alfa. The suspect’s family has promised to go all out to pervert justice in this case. The matter was first reported to FSARS men at Gbagada but they did nothing about it.”

  • Woman slumps, dies after FSARS arrests son

    Woman slumps, dies after FSARS arrests son

    A woman has reportedly died of shock after her son’s arrest by some Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( FSARS ) operatives.

    Mrs Asiata Adeyanju, 42, slumped and died close to her 9, Ajenifuja Street, Ilupeju, Lagos home on Wednesday night. She was said to be hypertensive.

    The Nation gathered that the FSARS operatives from Ipakodo Division in Ikorodu, who have been allegedly picking people up in the area in the last two weeks, arrested Muiz, the deceased’s 17-year-old son, when he  was about switching on the generator in front of their home.

    The operatives, said to be  in black vests with the inscription “FSARS”, allegedly slapped Muiz and hurled him into an unmarked van. A neighbour simply identified as Emmanuel, a teacher, was said to have been slapped by the operatives when he tried to stop them from taking the boy away.

    By the time Muiz’s parents, who were in their room, learnt of his arrest, the  operatives had whisked him away with others arrested at various spots. It was gathered that the late Mrs Adeyanju ran out with only her wrapper and chased the police van.

    The Nation learnt that Mrs Adeyanju slumped at a spot. Residents said she died while being rushed to a nearby hospital.

    Her widower, Musendiku Adeyanju, who was said to be observing his evening prayer at the time of the incident, later met with the operatives  at Ilupeju Junction, off Adesiyan Street, to secure his son’s release. The Nation learnt that Muiz was released after the  operatives were told his  mother had been rushed to the hospital.

    It was gathered that the operatives hurriedly left the area when they learnt of Muiz’s mother’s death.  None of those arrested was taken to the police station. They allegedly secured their release at a price.

    Describing his encounter with the operatives, Muiz said: “I was pulling the generator’s starter when the policemen grabbed my trousers and asked me to enter the bus. Before I knew what was going on, two of the officers started slapping me. They took me away with some other people I didn’t know. They were moving round the area, picking up people. They wore black shirts with ‘FSARS’ boldly written on them.”

    There was wailing on Ajenifuja Street yesterday when Mrs Adeyanju’s  body was brought back home.  Sympathisers rained curses on the operatives, describing FSARS as  “evil organisation”.

    Some residents complained that the operatives had been coming to the area for “illegal raids and indiscriminate arrests”.

    At his wife’s funeral performed by some Islamic clerics, Mr. Adeyanju, 43, was all tears.

    He described his wife’s death as “devastating agony”, wondering what his son’s offence was to warrant his arrest by the FSARS.

    He said: “I returned from work around 9:00 p.m., after which my wife served my food. After the dinner, I performed ablution to observe the prayers I missed. I was in the middle of the prayers when there was power outage. My wife instructed Muiz to start the  generator in front of the house.

    “The boy was arrested by FSARS when he was about to put on the set. I overheard one of my neighbours, Mr. Emmanuel, telling the policemen that the boy lives in the house. I had to break the prayers to attend to the situation. Before I got to the scene, the police van had left the spot. We ran after them but we didn’t see them.

    “I was returning home to take my car and search for the police van when I saw my wife at the street junction, gasping. People around rushed her to a hospital. I joined neighbours in search for the police van. We met the FSARS officers at a junction in Ilupeju and I explained to them my wife had collapsed because of my son’s arrest. That was when they released the boy to us. We had barely left that scene when I got a call that my wife had died.”

    The deceased’s elder sister, Mrs. Fausat Usman, described her as ‘’a quiet and cool-headed woman.”

    She confirmed that the late Mrs. Adeyanju was hypertensive.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Superintendent of Police (SP), did not pick this reporter’s calls.

    He cut the call after his phone persistently rang last night.

    He did not also respond to messages sent to his phone.