Following calls on social media for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad on account of its nefarious activities, Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered immediate re-organisation of the Squad.

Idris also ordered the investigation of all infractions, allegations and complaints against the operatives of the squad by the Inspector-General of Police X-Squad.

According to him, the Squad had been doing well, curbing violent crimes but expressed concern over the calls for its disbandment, saying the Squad would be re-organised and repositioned for efficiency and effective service delivery to all Nigerians.

He said under the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police would now be the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja.

The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).

Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters.

A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country.

All Commissioners of Police have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives.

The IGP X-Squad has been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.

Furthermore, a new training program to be organized by the Force in collaboration with some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Local and International NGOs, and other Human Rights Organizations on core Police Duties, Observant of Human Rights and Handling, Care and Custody of Suspects have been directed by the Inspector General of Police for all Federal SARS personnel nationwide with immediate effect.

However, aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions.

IGP X-SQUAD, 0902 690 0729 – CALLS, 0903 227 8905 – SMS, 0903 562 1377 – whatsapp, Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com, FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU, 07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp, 08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp, Email: bailisfree@gmail.com, pressforabuja@gmail.com, Twitter: @PoliceNG, http://www.facebook.com/ngpolice, iii. PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU), 08057000001 – Calls Only, 08057000002 – Calls Only, 08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only, Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU, http://www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU.