Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police, has ordered all operatives of the now-defunct Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (F-SARS) to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The IGP also announced the creation of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team to replace the now-scrapped F-SARS.
This directive was contained in a statement issued by Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, on Tuesday.
The order comes two days after IGP Adamu announced the disbandment of the F-SARS unit of the force following sustained protests across the nation for the past one week.
According to the IGP’s statement, all SARS operatives are expected to undergo a psychological and medical examination, as well as being debriefed, as a condition for their redeployment to other units of the force.
It noted that the psychological and medical evaluation will be carried out by a newly created unit in the force.
The statement read: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has, today, 13th October, 2020, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, 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.
“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.”
The IGP also explained that the newly created SWAT team will perform the functions of the dissolved SARS unit.
He stated that the operatives to be recruited for the new police unit will also undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure that they are mentally fir to serve in the force.
“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,” the statement read.
Reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of police reforms, the IGP called on members of the public, particularly protesting citizens, to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition.
