Lagos Police Arrest 2 FSARS Operatives, 1 Civilian Accomplice Over Extortion, Intimidation Of Citizens (photos)
Lagos State Police Command have arrested two operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.
The suspects are identified as Inspector Sale James, Inspector Monday Uchiola and their civilian accomplice Okechukwu Ogbonna.
Force spokesperson, DCP Frank Mba confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, October 4.
He said the operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
Mba expressed;
The IGP reaffirms his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure.
He enjoined the citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personnel of the Force to negatively impact on their belief, confidence and trust in the Police.
This follows Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu’s ban of personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) from carrying out routine patrols.
Read Also: Breaking: IGP Bans FSARS, Other Tactical Squads From Routine Patrols, ‘Stop And Search’ Duties, Operating In Mufti
Also banned are Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels.
Federal SARS and the Special Squads are also banned from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties including stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – with immediate effect.
A statement by DCP Frank Mba on Sunday said;
In addition, no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti. They must always appear in their police uniforms or approved tactical gear.
The IGP’s directives come against the backdrop of findings by the leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical Squads hide under this guise to perpetrate all forms of illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the squads.
Specifically, the IGP has warned the Tactical Squads against the invasion of the privacy of citizens particularly through an indiscriminate and unauthorized search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices.
The directive comes in the wake of an outrage over alleged criminal and extra-judicial actions of FSARS officers against citizens in various parts of the country.
See some photos of the suspects below;
