The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has warned operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad to respect the rights of Nigerians or get punished for going contrary to it.
This is in compliance to the directive of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who ordered a total overhaul of FSARS.
Idris made this known while reading the riot act at the Anambra State Police Command Headquarters, Amawbia at a lecture to officers of FSARS yesterday September 5th.
Idris who was represented at the event by the National Coordinator X-Squad, Amaechi Elumelu, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, said any FSARS officer who detained any suspect beyond 48 hours without recourse to the court risked dismissal. He also advised any personnel who cannot cope with the new order to opt out now.
“You are created and authorised to handle only armed robbery and kidnapping cases. Operatives of FSARS are to be trained and retrained regularly to equip them with modern working knowledge and skills to perform optimally in line with international best practices.
“You’re barred from searching handsets and laptops of innocent citizens, unless the search is directly linked to a case or directed by IGP or any person or persons he so delegated. You’re prohibited from detaining any suspect beyond what the law says without recourse to the court.” he said.
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