The Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu M.A Adamu has banned the personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad, Intelligence Response Team , Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties including stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks and traffic checks.
In a statement by the force public relations officer Frank mba, these special squads must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear.
The IGP’s directives is following findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads unwittingly perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure, Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
Specifically, the IGP warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.
According to the statement, the special squads are to concentrate and respond only to cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes when the need arises.
The Squads and other police officers on the road. They are to ensure prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of all erring police officers who violate these directives and other extant regulations of the Force.