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Tag: SARS

  • 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¡

  • Man stabs father, himself to death in Ekiti

    A 32-year old man, Lekan Adediran, who was identified to be suffering from mental disorder, has reportedly killed his Octogenarian father, Pa Lawrence Adediran in Efon Alaye in Efon Local government Area of Ekiti State.

    It was revealed that the culprit after killing his 80-year old father, was said to have stabbed himself to death with the aid of broken bottle with which he murdered his father.

    The culprit’s elder brother, Ojo Adediran, who reported the case at the Efon Divisional Police Station, said his brother was mentally infirmed and that he committed the offence at about 9.45pm on Monday.

    Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said the corpses of the two victims had been deposited at the morgue of General Hospital at Efon Alaaye.

    Ikechukwu revealed that the brother of the deceased cum culprit told the police that his late brother had mental challenge, which he said the family had been battling to resolve.

    He said: “Lekan’s brother personally approached the police station in Efon to report how his brother killed their 80-year old father with a broken bottle and also killed himself after succeeding in his devilish act.

    “Their corpses are presently at Efon General hospital for autopsy. However, the police had been able to maintain peace and orderliness in the town.

    “We are not resting on the accounts rendered to the police by the victim’s brother alone, we are still going to conduct investigations to ascertain the veracity of the claim and the reason behind the killing and the subsequent suicide option taken by Lekan”, the PPRO stated.

    Ikechukwu also revealed how some suspected cultists have invaded a satellite village and a drinking joint in Ado Ekiti capital city on July 29 and shot one Ayomide Adebayo, 23 and Sola Akinwande .

    The police spokesman said Adebayo was shot at Oshodi street the same day Akinwande was shot at a drinking joint within Ado Ekiti metropolis.

    Read Also: Court remands mechanic in Kirikiri for stealing

    The PPRO added that the two were shot in the legs and are now being treated at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

    “We got the information at about 10.45pm and upon investigation, it coincided with the day some secret cults wanted to secretly bury a man along Ilawe road .

    “We contacted our men in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who laid ambush and got the suspects arrested at their hideouts and are now being detained at the police headquarters where they are helping the police in their investigations”.

  • Protest in Ondo as victim of SARS ‘illegal operation’ dies

    One of the two students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State, who had an accident while being chased by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Owo town, Seun Ogunmola, is dead.

    The late Seun died on Sunday at the Federal Medical Center in Owo, 11 days after the accident. The Nation gathered that the student gave up the ghost a few hours after he underwent a surgery on his leg.

    The deceased and his classmate, Deborah Iyanuoluwa, both Accounting students of the polytechnic, were driving a Toyota Matrix saloon car when they were trailed by the SARS operatives who mistook them for suspected Internet fraudsters. It was learnt that the car belonged to the president of the hostel where the deceased resided.

    According to eyewitnesses, the students lost control of the car and crashed. After the accident, the officers reportedly abandoned them and fled. The victims were rescued by bystanders, who rushed them to the Federal Medical Centre.

    According to the late Seun’s friend, Dada Samuel, his condition worsened when the injury he sustained on his left leg affected his right leg, which warranted a surgery.

    His friends and family members, The Nation learnt, sought financial assistance from the public in order to pay N300,000 demanded by the hospital to carry out surgery on his leg.

    Dada said the late Seun’s underwent the surgery last Friday to prevent amputation of his legs. His classmates, he said, were already contributing money for another surgery when he died on Sunday.

    The news of Seun’s death sparked protest by students, who called for the disbandment of SARS. The students described SARS as “official killer squad”, while they condemned a statement credited to the Force Area Commander in Owo, Friday Eboka, an Assistant Commission of Police, who allegedly said there was no proof the officers were SARS operatives.

    Eboka asked students to provide “authentic evidence” to show involvement of SARS operative in the incident.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, could not be reached for comment.

  • Police dismiss four SARS operatives for robbery, other crimes

    AIG Adamu Ibrahim, in charge of Zone 2 Command, has approved the dismissal of four policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State, over alleged robbery and other crimes.

    CSP Dolapo Badmus, the Zone’s spokesperson, confirmed the dismissal on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to Badmus, the dismissed officers are Sgt. Adeoye Adekunle; Sgt. Adekitan Adebowale; Sgt. Agbi Lucky and Sgt. Odighe Hehosa.

    She said that the four policemen were dismissed and subsequently charged to court for armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and threatening violence.

    Badmus said that the panel recommended them for dismissal based on the report of the investigation carried out on a petition against them.

    She said that a petition was written against them by Mr Chukwudi Godwin Odionye, popularly referred to as ‘Bishop’ on May 2, 2018.

    “The petitioner stated that on June 4, 2017, he was in his house around Alagbado area of the state when four armed men stormed his house to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing ‘FAKE’ miracles.

    “He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel at Agege where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he fails to cooperate.

    “He explained further that the following day, June 5, 2017, he was taken to the bank where he was made to transfer N7 million to the account of one of the operatives.

    “On receipt of the petition, the AIG ordered investigation into the case.

    “On the strength of investigation, it was revealed that no proper police procedure for investigation was followed in Mr Chukwudi’s arrest.

    “The four SARS operatives actually abducted the man from his house and unlawfully detained him in the hotel under the guard of the suspects for personal gain,” Badmus said.

    She reiterated the AIG’s directive that the force would not tolerate any act of misconduct, which undermines the value of international best practices of the police.

  • Gunmen kill seven policemen in Abuja

    …Investigation into the attack ongoing – Force Spokesman

     

    Unindentified gunmen have reportedly killed seven policemen in Galadimawa area in Abuja.

    The attackers were said to have opened fire on the policemen on Monday night when they were stopped by some of the personnel of the Force who were on a stop and search duty in the area.

    The attack also left many civilians injured including one policeman.

    Confirming the attack, the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood said an investigation has commenced.

    He said: “The attack on Police personnel and killing of seven policemen in Abuja on Monday is an indication that those who are calling for the disbandment or end to SARS are not doing the nation any good.

    Read Also: Thunder strikes Ojukwu varsity student to death

    “These are policemen that were attacked and killed by armed robbers and other bandits.

    “When you now begin to call for end to SARS, this is a living witness that police personnel die in the process of protecting Nigerians and it is important that the SARS who are the fighting arm remain.

    “SARS is what the police is using to curb and reduce forms of robbery and criminality in the country.

    “Investigation has commenced fully into this incident and the perpetrators would be prosecuted.”

  • NHRC to probe torture allegation against SARS

    …Seeks information from public

     

    The National Human Rights Commission has concluded plans for the probe of allegation of torture against men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in South South and South Eastern parts of the country.

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu made this public on Tuesday while speaking at an event put in place by his agency, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN).

    Ojukwu said the planned probe was informed by increasingly complaints of torture against officials of SARS in those parts of the country.

    He said probe which will take the form of public hearing on SARS in the South South and South East geo-political zones, is “due to the endemic nature of Torture in the operations of SARS in those areas.

    “It is hoped that members of the public and the police authorities will assist the commission and cooperate to curb the practice of torture by SARS and other security agencies and hence reduce the incidence of torture in our polity.

    “In this regard, the commission wishes to commend the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for signing into law the Anti~Torture Act of 2017.

    “The Commission also commends the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for putting together the draft guidelines for the implementation of the new legislation.

    Read Also:El-Zakzaky: Shi’ite Members Protest at NHRC Headquarters over Police brutality

    “This is a clear statement on the part of the Federal Government of Nigeria to outlaw torture in our polity. It is therefore recommended to law enforcement agencies to take a cue from this message of the Federal Government on this day and stop all further acts of torture.

    “l also call on all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to participate robustly in the discussions around adopting the guidelines for the implementation of the Anti-Torture Act 2017.

    “The commission uses this opportunity to call attention to it earlier directive on respect for human rights, while carrying out law enforcement duties as torture cannot be justified under any circumstance,” he said.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) assured that the Federal Government was committed to curbing torture in the country.

    Represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Dayo Apata, the AGF said his office has, in line with its powers under the Anti-Torture Act, has drafted the rules and regulation for the effective implementation of the Act.

    The AGF added: “This rules and regulations have been drafted in such a manner as to give a simple appreciation of the Act. Key provisions have been repeated and clarified.

    “These should be no doubt about the commitment of the administration in ensuring that acts of torture are identified and penalised wherever and whenever they occur,” the AGF said.

    The Chairman, National Committee Against Torture (NCAT), Samson Ameh (SAN) urged all security agencies to shun acts of torture and abide by the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act.

  • Melaye never evaded arrest – media aide

    Mr Gideon Ayodele, the Special Adviser (Media) to embattled senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Dino Melaye, said the lawmaker never evaded arrest by the police.

    Ayodele in statement in Abuja on Tuesday said: “for the avoidance of doubt, Sen. Melaye had never evaded police invitation before now because there was none extended to him in the first place.

    Read Also: Breaking: Melaye jumps out of SARS vehicle, injured

    “Rather, what the Police Force Public Relations Officer Mr Jimoh Moshood had been doing was to summon the senator through media briefings, a practice unconventional.”

    Our reporter recalls that the Nigeria Police had on Monday laid siege at residence of the lawmaker.

    However, a statement earlier on Tuesday quoted the police as saying that Melaye as law-abiding citizen voluntarily submitted himself to operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who laid siege to his private residence since around 3.35 p.m. of Monday, April 23, 2018.

    The statement added that “he (Melaye), along with his lawyers and personal aides, were driven in his private car to the SARS office in Guzape district of Abuja, among numerous police vehicles earlier deployed to his house.

    “With the media hype the whole saga generated especially his unwarranted travails in the hands of Immigration officials at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Monday and the attendant but dramatic police siege to his private residence thereafter, it became necessary for Melaye to end the drama, hence his choice to appear before the police.”

    Melaye’s aide said “we are constrained to make the record straight sequel to avalanche of calls by well-meaning Nigerians and supporters.

    NAN

     

  • SARS officer allegedly stabs monarch’s son

    An officer of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has allegedly attacked a son of a monarch at Rumuagholu in Obio/Akpo Local Government of Rivers State.

    The incident followed a land dispute.

    The Nation learnt that the victim, Anna-Ugochukwu Nyegwa, was injured.

    He said in Port Harcourt that he was stabbed by an inspector, who led SARS team to his father’s land, on the directive of a relative, in a bid to take over the land.

    Nyegwa alleged: “We went to our land, which my father has just deforested and saw a grader, owned by the relation, SARS operatives and boys. My father called the IGP monitoring unit at Choba division to intervene.

    ‘’We stopped the people from working on our land. A SARS operative confronted my brothers and me. He said: ‘You again? You have come again? This time you will die on this land, as you don’t like heeding warnings’.

    ‘’The officer stabbed me in the nose. The policemen, who came with us, witnessed the incident. SARS operatives ignored them. They even tried to prevent them from taking me to the hospital by blocking exit routes with their cars.”

    The victim’s father and traditional ruler of Rumuagholu, Eze Samuel K. Nyegwa, condemned the act of SARS operatives.

    He accused them of collecting bribes and creating tension in the family.

    The monarch alleged: ‘’I want the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to caution the security personnel. Their duty is to protect life and property. Why have they become enemies of the society?

    ‘’Most SARS operatives don’t obey their boss’ instructions. The inspector and his team have been terrorising me and my children for years. I don’t know why they must involve in family issues by oppressing one faction of the family because they have collected bribe from the other faction. It is very bad.’’

  • SARS: What value for a life?

    The ongoing #EndSARS campaign, which depicts the impunity characterising the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SANS) of the Nigeria Police, is both strikingly revealing and poignantly worrisome because various allegations that have been levelled against the security outfit. The responses to the campaign from the police leadership, especially at the initial stages, ascribed the allegations against SARS as concocted lies and fears caused by delusions.

    In fact, the rapidity of the response by the head of Police Complaints Rapid Response Unit, Ayo Sogunle, was questioned by the unassailable facts presented by the public. For defending the indefensible, Sogunle should have been relieved of his post for displaying crass insensitivity when he said: “To all those having frightening dreams – ‘shot/beaten by police’. Pray to God not to allow it happen and avoid areas where police are responding to incidents in real life. If such dreams persist, go see a psychiatrist. We only deal with real-life police complaints.”

    Sogunle’s response was predictable. Nigerians have got used to this kind of insensitive remarks and almost accustomed to crass insensitivity being shown by the police. Sogunle’s thoughtless comment showed the context of the patterns of indifference that have since become the way of the Nigeria police. However, the continued demonstration in the social media to draw attention to the reprehensible behaviours of our policemen is encouraging. The hoopla generated in the social media did not only jolt the government, it even made the police to accept the fact that SARS had been maltreating Nigerians ever since.

    Of what value is a life in Nigeria? Revelations have continued to pour out on the social media, especially on Twitter, showing a total disregard for the human rights and lives of Nigerians by a unit in the police. People have continued to expose brutal encounters with SARS that the unconvincing excuses by the Inspector General of Police could not assail. Reforming the unit should be done quickly as a part of reorganisation necessitated by the need to pacify the angry public and thus douse the growing tension. However, many fear that the reorganisation would not be done on time and the campaign to #EndSARS may fizzle out.

    A very important point to be made here is that, Nigerians may not see the change desired because the system is programmed to maintain the status quo. What is the sincerity of the change promised by the Federal Government when Nigerians continue to be in danger of losing their lives to the mindless trigger-happy security operatives? It is high time the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government laid down expedient measures that will curb the excesses of the security operatives. Nigerians deserve to live in peace. A people who daily see their country’s commonwealth being cornered by  a privileged few could not but be unfortunate. They would be more unfortunate to be indifferent to the depletion of lives by the security operatives.

    Nigerians deserve more from the  government. Nigerians deserve better from Buhari. The #EndSARS campaign is an ample opportunity for the president to prove that he is, indeed, a listening and responsive president. Nigerians are waiting.

     

    • Tobi is a student of University of Ibadan

     

  • SARS arrests two armed robbers in Army uniform

    SARS arrests two armed robbers in Army uniform

    Operatives of Special Anti-robbery Squad ( SARS ) attached to the Police Commands in Kano and Katsina states have arrested two suspected armed robbers in full camouflage Army uniform in Katsina State.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Kano State,DSP Magaji Majiya, disclosed this while presenting the suspects to newsmen in Kano on Thursday.

    He said the suspects were nabbed on Wednesday while trying to cross to Niger Republic with a new unregistered Ford Hilux vehicle which they allegedly robbed from port Harcourt, Rivers.

    “The operatives of SARS attached to Kano and Katsina State Commands while acting on a tip-off ambushed and arrested Abubakar Ibrahim of Kurmin Mashi Quarters, Kaduna State, and Jaduwa Thalma of Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno.

    “The suspects were in full camouflage army uniform and were about to cross to Niger Republic when the they were picked,” Majiya said.

    He said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to being dismissed soldiers who deserted from the service when posted to Baga on Operation Lafiya Dole.

    He said one of them a.k.a ‘Abu Soja’ was a notorious armed robber who was declared wanted by the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), SARS Rivers Command, and had a pending case at SCIID in Bompai, Kano.

    Majiya said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the ongoing investigation was completed.

    He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Rabi’u Yusuf, had commended the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), SARS operatives attached to Kano, Katsina and Rivers states for working together toward the successful operation.

    NAN.