SWAT Won’t Consist of Ex-SARS Operatives
The Nigeria Police Force said Wednesday that former operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will not be part of the newly formed Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.
Persistent protests against SARS and its alleged violations of human rights of Nigerians have forced authorities in Nigeria to announce the disbandment of the special unit on Sunday. The protests were staged in most parts of South-Western Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
But Sunday’s pronouncement of disbandment of the unit by the inspector-general of police, Mohamed Adamu, did not pacify the protesters who think President Muhammadu Buhari’s executive order would carry more weight.
The police authorities swiftly created SWAT in place of SARS, and the protesters have reacted that the earlier would be made up of the officials later.
Responding to these insinuations on Wednesday, police spokesman, Frank Mba, said in a series of tweets on Wednesday that “the Mandate of the new tactical team is strictly restricted to; Response to robbery attacks, Response to scenes of weapon-related crimes, Rescue operations, [and] Special operations involving high profile criminals.”
He said, “No personnel of the defunct SARS will be selected to be part of the new tactical team”, adding that “Operations of the new tactical team will be strictly intelligence-driven.
“Members of the new tactical team will by no means embark on routine patrols.
“Members of the new tactical team are barred from indiscriminate and unlawful search of phones, laptops and other smart devices.
“Operatives of the new tactical team must be free of any pending disciplinary matter especially those touching on misuse of firearms and abuse of human rights,” he said.
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