News

SWAT Replaces SARS as IGP Invites Disbanded Squad Members for Psychological Examination

*New Team Starts Training Next Week

Malik Yahya/

A new police special unit has been announced today to replace the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that was dissolved on Sunday following widespread protests over their activities.

The new unit christened Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) would commence training next week, says the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, says SWAT was established today in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020.

According to Mba, the IGP has ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for debriefing, psychological and medical examination. The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

He stated: “The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties. The Unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, Public Relations practitioners, Civil Society and other Human Rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. Prospective members of this new team will also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment. They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week. While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.

“While reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the Police reforms, the IGP enjoins members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a Police Force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.”

0
Dipo

Dipo Kehinde is an accomplished Nigerian journalist, artist, and designer with over 34 years experience. More info on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dipo-kehinde-8aa98926

Recent Posts

The Philippine VP Publicly Threatens to Have the President Assassinated

Femi Ashekun/ Philippine Vice President, Sara Duterte, ignited a political firestorm Saturday by openly claiming…

8 hours ago

How Russia-Ukraine War is Starving Africa, Driving Up Food Prices in Nigeria, Egypt, Others

Kremlin's new weapons rhetoric fuels fears of World War III escalation. Femi Ashekun/ As Vladimir…

1 day ago

Shell LiveWIRE Programme Trains 9,000 Niger Delta Youths in Entrepreneurship

Since its inception in 2003, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) LiveWIRE…

1 day ago

Are The Grammys Relevant Outside the United States?

Building Credibility For nearly eight decades, the Grammy Awards have stood as the pinnacle of…

3 days ago

Disputed 5.3bn Shares: Court Adjourns Barbican/FBN Holdings Suit as Ecobank’s Recusal Motion Remains Pending

Justice Ayokunle Faji has adjourned further proceedings in the suit filed by Barbican Capital Limited…

5 days ago

Los Angeles Protects Undocumented Immigrants from Trump’s Deportation Plans with Sanctuary Ordinance

Segun Atanda/ The Los Angeles City Council has approved a sweeping "sanctuary city" ordinance designed…

5 days ago