The Nigeria police has disclosed that no former operative of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will be part of the new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.
Recall that the inspector general of police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu dissolved SARS on Sunday following a nationwide outrage.
#EndSARS protesters have continued to show their grievances in different parts of the country despite the dissolution of the controversial police unit, SARS.
Following the disbandment, the IGP, Adamu announced the establishment of SWAT in lieu of the now disbanded SARS.
IGP said members of the new unit would commence training next week.
The inspector-general of police also ordered the former SARS operatives to report to the force headquarters for debriefing and psychological evaluation.
But many of the protesters have said SWAT would be made up of the disbanded SARS officials, hence the reason they have continued with the demonstration.
The Police in a series of tweets on Wednesday said the new unit has five cardinal points as its mandate which includes responding to robbery attacks and rescue operations.
According to the force public relations officer, Frank Mba, Mandate of the new TACTICAL team is strictly restricted to; Response to robbery attacks, Response to scenes of weapon-related crimes, Rescue operations, [and] Special operations involving high profile criminals,”.
“No personnel of the defunct SARS will be selected to be part of the new TACTICAL team. Operations of the new TACTICAL team will be strictly intelligence-driven.
“Members of the new TACTICAL team will by no means embark on routine patrols. Members of the new TACTICAL team are barred from indiscriminate and unlawful search of phones, laptops and other smart devices.
“Operatives of the new TACTICAL team must be free of any pending disciplinary matter especially those touching on misuse of firearms and abuse of human rights.”
