After days of #EndSARS demonstrations, authorities on Sunday announced the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
This was followed on Tuesday with the formation and unveiling of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammad Adamu to replace the disbanded SARS agency.
However, the development fell short of expectations for protesters, who have since pledged to continue fighting for a complete overhaul of the security apparatus.
On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, the Nigeria Police Force through its Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, released a list of important facts to note about the newly created SWAT Team, along with a detailed description of its mandate and what it is restricted to.
Check on it below:
The police note that:
- No personnel of the defunct SARS will be selected to be part of the Tactical team
- Operations of the new Tactical team will be strictly intelligent-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.
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The new team will be tasked with:
- Response to robbery attacks
- Response to scenes of weapon-related crimes
- Rescue operation
- Special operation involving high profile criminals
Photo Credit: NPF
