Sequel to the recent order and directives from the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the ban of the notorious or unpopular Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide, the Imo Police Command headed by Commissioner of Police (CP) Isaac Akinmoyede on Tuesday October,6 2020 held a breakfast meeting with all his tactical commanders where he interfaced with operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) S.P Orlando Godson Ikeokwu who was present at the vital meeting issued this report, as the outcome;
“Pursuant to the ban on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other tactical teams from routine patrol, check points, stop and search duties etc, by the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, NPM.mni, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Isaac Akinmoyede held a meeting with all the Tactical Team Commanders in the state, where he reiterated the directives of the Inspector-General of Police and directs absolute compliance to the directives by all units of the command.
Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police set up a monitoring and enforcement team to be headed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police incharge of X-Squad Department, ACP Emmanuel Asufi, with the heads of the tactical teams as members, under the direct supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police incharge of Operations, (DCP) Rabiu Hussaini, to give effect to the directive and compliment the teams to be dispatched from Force Headquarters.
Similarly, the Commissioner of Police met with all the personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) where he informed them of the ban on all routine patrol, road blocks, check points, stop and search, traffic duties etc. He further informed them that the unit will henceforth treat only cases relating to the establishment of such unit, or respond to any distress call as may be directed by the Commissioner of Police. He further warned that any movement by any unit as specified above, such unit must put on the approved uniform (identification vest) with the name of such unit boldly inscribed on the vest/uniform.
He also warned them against indiscriminate search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices of members of the public under any guise, except if such device is directly connected to a case duly reported and under investigation of which all procedures must be followed.
In view of all the above, the command wishes to inform members of the public that the X-Squad and Monitoring Units of the Command have been activated to arrest any erring officer or unit. Members of the public are therefore advised to report any unethical/unprofessional conduct of any police officer or unit through the following members: –
Force Public Complaint Bureau – 07056792065, 08088450152
Commander X-Squad – 08037104989
Command Public Complaint Bureau- 07034714499
Email: pressforabuja@police.gov.ng
Twitter: @policeng
Complaint Response Unit (CRU)
08057000001 – Calls only
08057000002 – Calls only
08057000003 – Calls only
Twitter: – @policeng_PCRRU
