By Hassan Zaggi
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has announced the replacement of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) with a new unit christened – Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team.
The police chief has also summoned all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.
A statement by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), in Abuja on Tuesday, said the new squad is backed by Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020.
The statement further disclosed that a new unit -Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team has been established by the Inspector General to will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS.
Prospective members of the SWAT, according to the statement, 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 further explained.
It reiterated that the SARS officers are expected to undergo the debriefing, psychological and medical examination 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 statement noted.
The IGP, however, enjoined Nigerians, 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.
