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Tag: SARS

  • SARS protests rock cities

    SARS protests rock cities

    There were protests in some major cities yesterday  – for and against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),  the police anti-violent crimes fighting machine.

    The unit has been accused of brutality against innocent citizens.

    A group of people promoting the scrapping of the unit surfaced in the social media recently, using the #EndSARS hashtag.

    Following the massive campaign, Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris promised to restructure and reposition the unit. Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood said to end SARS was to leave the field open for armed robbers to operate freely.

    In Abuja, Awka, the Anambra State capital, and  Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, protests erupted yesterday.

    In Abuja, the Concerned Men and Women Association of Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), rejected the call for the SARS to be disbanded.

    The coordinator of the association, Alhaji Sanusi Ajiya, said Nigerians do not support scrapping the unit.

    Ajiya said instead of calling for the scrapping of the unit, Nigerians should seek its restructuring and monitoring of its activities.

    “The recent campaign in the social media calling for the scrapping of the SARS is not in the interest of Nigerians,” he said.

    But a coalition of civil society groups issued a 21-day ultimatum for the scrapping of the SARS, “failing which we will be compelled to resort to other measures to embarrass them (government) into taking action.”The #EndSARS coalition which staged a protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, also demanded the investigation of various allegations against operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and prosecution of indicted personnel.

    The convener of the protest, Segun Awosanya said: “We demand thorough investigations into complaints filed against SARS officers. We demand that such officers be identified and immediately brought to justice. In some cases, we will provide video and pictorial evidence against officers who have been seen to be involved in such acts of brutality and extortion.”

    ”We give the authorities 21 days within which to meet these demands, failing which we will be compelled to resort to other measures to embarrass them into taking action.”

    Some protesters also visited the police headquarters in support of SARS activities.

    Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) Joshak Habila, who addressed them, said: “All allegations against SARS will be investigated, they are being put together by the Force Public Relations Officer. The reason we are doing this is because we believe SARS has something to offer, but anyone found wanting will be taken out of the force.

    “The Police Community Relations Committee has been telling us some of the wrongs we did and today they are saying they won’t want SARS to be thrown away. The IG is rebranding SARS. Those that have violated peoples rights or kill won’t go unpunished.”

    In Awka,  a group of youths staged the peaceful protest to back SARS under the aegis of concerned Anambra citizens and non-indigenes

    Drawn from various local government areas in the state, they converged on Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government, carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as “Removal of SARS, an invitation to kidnapping, robbery”;  “We want crime free Christmas and new year” and “Let SARS be”, among others.

    The convener and the Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Political Matters, Okafor Emeka, said the protest was to drive home their warning against the consequences of scrapping the unit.

    He attributed the relative peace in the state to the active and aggressive operations of that arm of the police.

    Police Community Relations Committee Chair Francis Ezenwankwo, said those calling for the scraping of the unit had selfish and ulterior motives.

    Ezenwankwo said: “We have a system where erring officers are disciplined, including redeployment, training and retraining, to bring out the best from them.”

    Obiano’s  aide, who handed over the letter written to the Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar, pleaded with the IGP to use his good offices to ensure that SARS remains in the state.

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chris Owolabi, who represented the commissioner of Police, praised the youths for their peaceful conduct.

    He assured that their message would be delivered to the appropriate authorities.

     

  • SARS must stay in Rivers, say Port Harcourt protesters

    SARS must stay in Rivers, say Port Harcourt protesters

    Indigenes of Rivers State under the aegis of Free Rivers Development Initiative (FRDI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt, the state capital to support the efforts of the police in fighting crime.

    The march, which started from Polo Club field at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) on Port Harcourt/Aba Express Highway, terminated at the Police Headquarters in Moscow, the township axis of the city.

    They delivered a thank you letter “to Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris and Commissioner of Police (CP) Zaki Ahmed for their efforts at securing the state.

    They urged the IGP to disregard Governor Nyesom Wike’s call for the proscription of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS).

    Members and officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) identified with the protesters. The APC members were led by State Chairman Davies Ikanya.

    Ikanya told the police chiefs that received them at the gates of the command head office: “Because we as APC lost the most in terms of number of lives lost in this state, we are concerned about the call by Wike and his PDP to proscribe SARS, and to scrap the Police Force.

    ”In 2015, over 300 of our members were killed and beheaded. From 2015 till now, we have lost more than 400. In fact we lost over 30 persons in ONELGA in a single day; they were killed and beheaded, APC Ward Four chairman, his pregnant wife, their daughter and son were all killed and beheaded in their house in one day, and we know that the sponsors of the killers came from PDP and Governor Wike is aware of this.

    “Now the PDP knows that 2019 general elections are around the corner, they know that they cannot win in Rivers State if it is free and fair, now they want the police to go, they want the security agencies to go, they want to invade the state again, they want to start to kill people again.

    “APC members will still be their target to kill, that is why we are fully identifying with this protest as a party , we are identifying with you because without you all my party members would have all been killed by now.

    “Wike has boasted that everybody has a price, I hear he has bought PDP and now he wants to buy Police, and because you are saying no, because Police is the last hope of the common man he is fighting and saying scrap the Police.

    “If Police is scrapped, Nyesom Wike would have bought the whole country, please for the sake of integrity, for the sake of this country, do not allow Wike to buy this country, do not allow Wike’s theory of being able to buy everything to work with the police. Let SARS stay, let Police stay, let the Army stay, let there be more reinforcement of all the units of the police, all the armed forces, please reinforce, because now that he is calling for your scrap, he must have acquired arms, recruited boys to start killing again.”

    Asita said ”The only organ of police that the state government is afraid of is SARS and that is why they are leaving no stone unturned to frustrate them. We understand that the incumbent governor of the state have made several efforts to bribe SARS, compromise the police and the police have refused, they (Police) are doing their work , Rivers people are here to say thank you and to ask you to do more.

    “Without the police, this place (state) will be hell. Now you can see that the governor of Rivers State is spending and supporting criminals. He recognises criminals as chiefs and Kings in Rivers state, it is only in this (Rivers), state this can happen.”

    Prince Tonye Princewill said: “Wike had a Chief Security Officer (CSO), who is a former SARS commander. Did he call for the scrapping of SARS then? But because the present SARS Commander is not carrying out his orders, not working in his favour, he wants SARS scrapped.

    Handing over the letters to the CP, the President of FRDI, Sampson Ngeregbara, noted that leadership is about good governance that is centred on protection of life and property.

    The Police commissioner lauded the efforts of the SARS unit in fighting crime and criminality in the state. He disclosed that between January and now a total of 1,000 criminal suspects had been arrested by SARS, and about 400 prosecuted.

    He also said vehicles, various kinds of guns and ammunition, among others, were recovered by the unit. He reiterated his vowed determination not to compromise and appealed to the public to support the police by divulging credible information to the police.

    The Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, said: “We don’t understand the activities of SARS in the state. They are here destroying the security and killing people.

    “We are calling on the Inspector General of Police to listen to our cry and remove SARS from the state. We are tired of losing our people to the illegal activities of SARS. People are leaving the state because of fear of SARS. Our position is that SARS must be scrapped.”

     

  • SARS: Dogara denies sponsoring #endSARS campaigners

    SARS: Dogara denies sponsoring #endSARS campaigners

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said that claims that he was behind the sponsor of the campaign to end the operations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Special Anti-Roberry Squad ( SARS ) was the height of blackmail against his person and his office.
    Notwithstanding, the Speaker said  the House of Representatives under his watch would not be intimidated to abandon the investigation into the allegations of corruption and brutality against innocent citizens by SARS.
    He said the House would thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that justice is done.
    Dogara’s response followed stories in the media credited to the Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood insinuating that the #EndSARS lead campaigner, Segun Awosanya has ties with politicians, while  displaying a photograph in which Awosanya appears with the Speaker.
    However, in a briefing yesterday, House Spokesman, Abdulrazaq Namdas said Police Force Public Relations Officer’s (FPRO) insinuation was an affront on the institution of the House of Representatives because the Speaker is a politician while the House is populated by elected politicians and as such will continue to relate with the Nigerian public.
    While he strongly advised the police to ensure respect for the constitutional rights of the citizens to participate in governance through opinions and contribution of ideas, Namdas warned that it is incumbent on the Police to protect citizens execriong that constitutional right including the #EndSARS lead campaigner,  Awosanya.
    While Namdas conveyed the backing of the  House for all #endSARS campaigners, he also urged them to conduct themselves orderly.
    Namdas said: “Although, the Force PRO denied accusing the speaker of sponsoring Mr. Awosanya and other campaigners, we wish, for the sake of clarity to address the mischief inherent in this sinister and insidious action by Moshood and the Police to make the Speaker and the House of Representatives subject of controversy and to divert public attention from the apparently  sordid and weighty allegations against the Police, especially the SARS unit
    “In the consciousness of the fact that the House is investigating the matter, we shall abstain from indulging in any comment that might be prejudicial to the investigation.
    “For the avoidance of doubt, the picture in question was taken in September this year, when Mr. Awosanya came to submit the petition against SARS, which is a daily happenstance in the House and indeed any other parliament.
    “This should not in any way be interpreted as ‘hobnobbing’ with politicians . If any official interaction between citizens and politicians  is to be construed as “hobnobbing”  then, all citizens, the Police inclusive would be guilty.
    “The Police ought to know that sovereignty belongs to the people and the House of Representatives is made up of true representatives of the people; hence people have the constitutional right to express themselves without let or hindrance; and so can at any time petition the National Assembly, on any issue that affects their interests or the interest of the nation.
    “As the Speaker assured the petitioners in September, the House of Representatives under his watch cannot be intimidated to abandon the investigation into these allegations of corruption and brutality against innocent citizens by SARS.
    “The House would thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that justice is done.
    “The Police as law enforcers are aware that no institution of government is above the laws of the land and subjection to the oversight and scrutiny of the legislature
    “IGP’s directive for immediate reorganization of SARS is a confirmation that all is not well with the activities of the embattled squad.
    “This, not withstanding, the House commends the maturity and introspection of the IGP through his directive for immediate reorganisation of SARS which is an indication that all may not be well with the activities of the embattled squad after all.
    “The House wishes to strongly advise the police to ensure respect for the constitutional rights of the citizens to participate in governance through opinions and contribution of ideas and must protect citizens execriong that constitutional right including the #EndSARS lead campaigner, Segun Awosanya, or any other campaigners  and indeed all citizens exercising their constitutional rights lawfully.
    “The House of Representatives remains resolute in its pursuit of justice and entrenchment of the rule of law in Nigeria. It will continue to exercise its statutory responsibility and will not hesitate to wield the big stick where such is the justice of thr case. Of course, citizens are assured that they will not suffer sanctions unjustifiably.
    “The House  wishes to urge all the #EndSARS campaigners to conduct themselves strictly within the ambit of the law in exercising their rights and to  rest assured that the House of Representatives will expeditiously consider their petition.
    “The investigations will be carried transparently and everyone will be given opportunity to present his or her side of the story”.
  • Senate probe alleged human rights abuses by SARS

    Senate probe alleged human rights abuses by SARS

    The Senate, on Monday, asked its ad-hoc committee on Review of National Security Infrastructure to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ).

    Senator Ahmed Lawan led committee was mandated to probe and make relevant recommendations and revert to the Senate.

    The resolution followed a Point of Oder by Senator Isa Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central).‎

    Misau noted that that in line with the Police Act and Regulation, the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, (Force CID) is the highest investigative arm of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    He said, “For effective and efficient administration, the department is divided into 14 sections for which the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is one of them. The squad is supposed to be a section in each state command CID with sole responsibility of handling armed robbery cases and answerable to the state commissioner for police.

    “I have in the last few months received several petitions from my constituency both online and personally against SARS on violence from extra judicial killing, brutality, torture, arrest for bribe and other menacing conduct by the men of the unit.”

    The Bauchi Central lawmaker noted that findings showed that the incidences were not isolated, as many people had been sharing their experiences online on the inhuman treatment they received from operatives of SARS.

    He added: “We are a civilised society. The majority of the Nigeria Police is manned by men and women of great integrity, discipline and commitment. However, this unit is not one of them. It is dangerous for us to have a unit of the police force to act as if it is above the law and empowered to so behave.”

    Read Also: Our ordeal with SARS – Nigerians

    He prayed his colleagues to take stand to end SARS or make a way for a more civilised unit that would be built around the rule of law and human rights observance.

    “I am aware that in 2015, the then Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase had due to incessant reports of abuses by the Force, split SARS into two units with a view to check human rights abuses. This indeed was by ensuring that officers cannot make arrest and investigate the same case.”

    Misau, however, said the abuses had continued irrespective of the minor reforms by the former police boss. He said the Nigeria Police had a major obligation to ensure the protection of human rights in all the states of the federation.

    “The Senate ought to prevent and investigate corruption or misconduct by law enforcement officers and provide accountability for the exercise of their powers.

    “I call on this chamber to mandate the adhoc committee on security to investigate this issue of human rights abuses by SARS and make relevant recommendations,” he added.

    Senate President,Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, said that it was appropriate for the matter to be referred to the committee for consideration.

    Saraki said, “It is clear that something wrong is going on and needs urgent attention. It is happening in all our constituencies. We must be seen to be responsive to some of these needs,” Saraki said.

  • Our ordeal with SARS – Nigerians

    Our ordeal with SARS – Nigerians

    Nigerians have continued to recount their ordeals with men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ), as the campaign for the dismantling of the security unit continues.

    The mainly online campaign with the hashtag #EndSARS followed widespread allegations of corruption and inhuman treatment of citizens by the special police squad.

    The victims said their experience with the police unit has been bad and called for termination of their activities.

    Mr. Elijah Balogun relates his experience in a tweet.

    “SARS stopped the Uber cab my friend and I were riding in April this year.

    ” Told us to come down. Started asking for our phones and threatened to take my friend away because he has beard and looks like a G boy.

    “Last last, they begged us to drop ‘something’. #EndSARS”, he tweeted.

    While relating his experience, a blogger who identified himself as Ladi, said he was threatened while attending a conference.

    “This fateful day just last week or thereabouts, I was to attend the Lagos Digital Summit

    “I took a Taxify from the office to the venue” and met them around Sheraton Link Road.

    “They stopped the cab and asked me to come down.

    “Asked me to identify myself which I did and they asked for my ID Card and Complimentary Card which were unavailable.

    “They threatened to arrest me but my saving grace was because my mum was in the Police before she passed on so as they were threatening me to settle them if I don’t have a ID, I was also threatening them with dismissal via a secret camera which was live and on me.

    “After about 3 hours, I was allowed to go but not without calling my Uncle who is a commodore in the Nigerian Navy”, he said.

    In a similar experience, a Digital Marketer who pleaded anonymity narrated how he and his friend was extorted earlier this year.

    “The way they even stop you ehn…. They wouldn’t even show you any form of identification…..

    “One of my experience was earlier this year when I and a friend went to withdraw money at an ATM.

    Next thing, we just started hearing “sssss, sssss”… We initially ignored.

    They then parked one small danfo bus beside us and said… “Una no hear say na una we dey call abi?”

    “I was like, “We didn’t know it was us”. Next thing was.. oya open that bag and bring out all the drugs there…

    “Ahhh!” was what first came out from my mouth. The guy was now like, “Is that not what all you these youths of nowadays are doing? Carrying drugs and doing yahoo”

    “I just giggled and we gave them our bags to check. After checking and not seeing anything, he asked for our phones. I didn’t take my phone out that day but they checked my friend’s phone and after not seeing anything, they said we should find something for them.

    “To avoid stories that touch, we sha gave them 500 naira each oooo”.

    Another victim, a student of the University of Ibadan, who identified himself as Sunday, said he was beaten by SARS officers for a crime he knew nothing about.

    “Early in the morning while I was still sleeping, SARS officers broke into my house, I was beaten, molested and arrested because someone in my neighbourhood allegedly committed a crime.
    “I spent twelve days in their custody and released after paying a huge sum”, he said.
    Nkyjoye, an alumnus of the University of Benin, also narrated his encounter with SARS officers.
    “I had same experience in 2011 when I was in UNIBEN. I went out with my friends.
    “About 10pm on our way home,they stopped our car, asked my friend who was driving to unlock his phone, and he refused.
    “So they took us to the station and laid allegations that we were kidnappers.
    “We slept in their station and the next day was an environmental. It was crazy”.

  • SARS personnel to undergo new training programme – Force PRO

    SARS personnel to undergo new training programme – Force PRO

    Personnel of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) are to undergo a new training programme, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Jimoh Moshood.

    Moshood said in a statement on Monday that the training was part of the reorganisation of SARS earlier directed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris.

    The directive, according to him, is aimed at repositioning the squad for “more efficiency and effective service delivery to all Nigerians” in in accordance with the rule of law and international best practices.

    Moshood explained that the training would be organised by the Force in collaboration with some civil society organisations, local and international NGOs and other human rights organisations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the move followed the ongoing social media campaign by Nigerians for the proscription of SARS over allegations of human rights abuses across the country.

    Through the campaign, which started on Saturday with the hashtag #EndSARS, many Nigerians have accused personnel of the squad of extra-judicial killings and other forms of abuses.

    However, Moshood said SARS had been “doing very well in fighting violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnappings and cattle rustling in the country in recent times”.

    He noted that this had seen a drastic reduction in incidents of the mentioned violent crimes nationwide.

    “However, the IGP has directed the immediate reorganisation of SARS nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against its personnel.

    “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 crime in their area of responsibilities.

    “They are also to maintain other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of lives and property in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).

    “The 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,” he said.

    Moshood added that a federal SARS Commander of the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) would be in charge of F-SARS in state and zonal commands across the country.

    According to him, all commissioners of police have been directed by the IGP to comply with the directive with immediate effect, and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives.

    He added that IGP X-Squad had been mandated to go round the commands and police formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.

    The Force PRO urged aggrieved members of the public with complaints against SARS personnel to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions:
    i. IGP X-SQUAD
    0902 690 0729, 08078662130, 08174041000 – CALLS
    0903 227 8905 – SMS
    0903 562 1377 – whatsapp
    Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com

    ii.  FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU
    07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp
    08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp
    Email: bailisfree@gmail.com, pressforabuja@gmail.com
    Twitter: @PoliceNG
    www.facebook.com/ngpolice
    iii.     PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU)
    08057000001 – Calls Only
    08057000002 – Calls Only
    08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only
    Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU
    www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU.(NAN)

  • Nigerians call for scrapping of SARS with #EndSARS campaign

    Nigerians call for scrapping of SARS with #EndSARS campaign

    Social media has been agog with complaints from Nigerians about brutal treatments by of Special Anti-robbery squad, popularly known as SARS.

    Some Nigerians have called for the scrapping with #EndSARS campaign which has been going on for days now on social media. The campaign, which was initiated by Segun Awosanya now have thousands of Nigerians, calling on the federal government to scrap the police unit using the hashtag #EndSARS.

    Top musicians, such as Don Jazzy, Reekado Banks, Olamide, Simi, Falz, DJ Spinall, Sam Klef, Lil Kesh among others, also took to their twitter handles, to push the campaign.

    Following the series of complaints shared online by Nigerian youths on alleged harassment, assault by the SARS operatives, the former vice president Atiku Abubakar, also took to his twitter, to express his concern as regards the ongoing campaign.

    Atiku in his tweet, urged the National Assembly to look into the complaints. He also urged the Nigeria police to take the complaints seriously. Atiku commended the youths for protesting peacefully.

    He wrote, “The arbitrary harassment of young Nigerians by Police (who should be protecting them) has no place in a democratic society.

    “The #EndSARS protest shows Nigerian youth are upset and the matter needs urgent attention.

    “I commend our young people for protesting these injustices peacefully online, and encourage the IG of @PoliceNG to take these complaints seriously.

    “I also urge the National Assembly to look into these complaints, and address the human rights issues. Reforms are urgently needed.”

    Former Governor of Gombe State and Senator representing Gombe Central, Senator Danjuma Goje, has also reacted to the call.

    In support of the movement, he said operatives of SARS make him lose hope in the society.

    In his tweets he wrote “I stand and support Nigerians in the call for #EndSARS.

    “Going through some Tweets with the hashtag, they are kind of people that make me lose Hope in Society bit more.

    “Anything that has a beginning must have an end. Stay strong.”

    The presidency also responded through the Personal Assistant to the president on New Media, Bashir Ahmad.

    In his tweet via his official Twitter handle @BashirAhmaad he said, ”I have earnestly been following #EndSARS I must say it is indeed saddening.’’

    “While it is not within my power to do any thing. But I promise to bring this very urgent matter to the attention of relevant authorities. Rest assured that the Buhari administration is a listening one.”

    Following the complaints made, the Inspector General of Police Idris Ibrahim has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide.

    He made this known, in a statement released by the police Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood on Monday.

    The statement read thus;

    “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.

    However, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, is concerned with public interest and the need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency and effective service delivery to all Nigerians and ensure that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operates based on International Core Value of Policing with integrity and make sure the rule of law prevails in the operations and activities of the outfit, the IGP has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force.

    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).

    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.

    i. IGP X-SQUAD 0902 690 0729 – CALLS 0903 227 8905 – SMS 0903 562 1377 – whatsapp Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com.

    ii. FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU 07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp 08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp Email: bailisfree@gmail.com, pressforabuja@gmail.com Twitter: @PoliceNG www.facebook.com/ngpolice.

    iii. PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU) 08057000001 – Calls Only 08057000002 – Calls Only 08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU.”

  • Police arrest SP, others over vandalism

    Police arrest SP, others over vandalism

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State on Monday said it had arrested a Superintendent of Police (name withheld) and four others over alleged vandalism of electrical installation.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Kennedy Idirisu, told newsmen in Lafia that the suspects were arrested on Nov. 17 by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) based on intelligence information.

    Idirisu said that the suspects allegedly vandalised a transformer at Obi junction in Obi Local Government Area of the state.

    He said items recovered from them included four rolls of cable and tools used in vandalising the transformer.

    The PPRO said that the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) had begun investigation into the matter, while disciplinary procedure against the officer had started.

    He said the command was determined to purge the force of ‘bad eggs’ in line with the Inspector-General’s Policy of zero tolerance for corruption and unprofessional conduct.

    “In view of this, the case will be diligently investigated and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted,” Idirisu said.

    Read Also: Police nab suspect operating with master key

  • Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of raising false alarm against security agencies.

    The governor, on Wednesday, claimed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives were behind kidnapping and robbery in the state.

    Rivers APC, at a news conference in Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone,  Secretary Emeka Beke and other leaders of the party, accused the governor of having sewn police uniforms for thugs used by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections and rerun in Rivers.

    It stated that Wike ought to have emulated his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was proactive by declaring three-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, with the curfew later extended to today, to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers APC noted that the failure of Wike’s government to engage in productive ventures, was responsible for increase in the crime rate in Rivers, with hungry and angry youths returning to crime.

    Wike alleged that the SARS Commander in Rivers, Mr. Akin Fakorede, and operatives of the squad were indicted by an official police signal, which he claimed showed that they were responsible for the series of kidnapping and robbery across the state.

    The main opposition party said: “Ordinarily, the APC has no business involving in any matter between the Rivers governor and any other entity, but in the instant case and even in previous related cases, Wike has either alluded to or expressly stated that the APC benefited from whatever allegations he raised against the police or particularly the SARS. The APC has also been at the receiving end of the false alarms Wike had previously raised against the police, which, in all cases, turned out to be mere smokescreen by the governor to mask his real intentions.

    “From all indications, the Rivers governor’s accusation on Wednesday that members of SARS abducted some persons and forced them to withdraw N500,000, is manifestly cooked up to directly smear members of the SARS and the Commander, Akin Fakorede, who is known to have resisted advances made by Wike to compromise the officer.

    “Wike has never hidden his disdain for the SARS commander, due to the officer’s principled and professional stance in rejecting the governor’s bait in the past two years. Wike seems to have sworn to have Akin Fakorede compromised or transferred out of Rivers State, to pave the way for a replacement that may play ball with him.

    “Just before the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State assumed a frightening dimension, Wike had raised the alarm, accusing the military and police of invading ONELGA. Just after his blackmail of the Army and Police, his private army, led by Don Wannie, launched his massive killing and beheading in ONELGA. Same was the case when Wike sponsored a campaign of calumny against the military personnel that tried to normalise security in Ogoniland. He made all manner of accusations against the Army that had gone in search of Solomon Ndigbara, Wike’s private army general in Ogoni. Shortly after the sponsored campaign against the Army in Ogoni , Ndigbara launched his killings in Ogoniland.

    “Part of the concerns of the APC is that whenever Wike is about committing some security infractions, he diverts attention from himself, by raising false alarm against security agencies, especially the police. In the instant case, Rivers governor is raising these alarms to distract the police and pave the way for his killers to undertake further killings in Rivers State. Without doubt, we believe the security information in our kitty to that effect.”

  • IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    Inspector-General (IGP) of Police Ibrahim Idris has faulted the allegation by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the police are behind criminal activities in the state.

    Idris said Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

    Idris explained that the display of a body purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the policeman was involved in the crime.

    He said: “That a policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime. You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime.”

    He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me”.